Why listening to lawyers CAN DAMAGE your REPUTATION!

Do you remember the story about former President Clinton and Monica Lewinsky? He was accused of having sex with the young Whitehouse Intern.

For weeks, he engaged in subtle evasions and semantics about the truth of their "relationship".

Clinton was holed below the waterline and his TRUST was sunk. His popularity plummeted.

Grab the Agenda

Now, here's the real story.

Clinton began to fight back when HE decided to STOP listening to his legal advisers. You see, they were running scared of how the media would treat the President and how it would reflect upon the Whitehouse.

So, their collective advice to the then President - stay silent, do nothing and say nothing!

The truth is, there comes a time when a leader must know and appreciate the difference between the Court of Law and the Court of HUMAN Law!

By and large, Lawyers have no appreciation of the Court of HUMAN Law. And because they lack this understanding, they will tell you to stay quiet when you should be speaking to the Court of HUMAN Law.

Use your Emotional Intelligence

Following the legal advice and ignoring the impact on your Reputation is wrong. Take this comment from the UK CEO of Thomas Cook.

"I learnt a lesson from our crisis; don't listen to lawyers." Source - Observer 15th May 2016

Why did Peter Fankhauser, the UK boss of Britain's second largest tour operator say those words?

Simple, for nine years his company refused to speak to the media following the tragic death from carbon monoxide poisoning of Bobby and Christi Shepherd in 2006. 

Thomas Cook even refused to apologise to Bobby and Christi's parents.

Here is how the CEO summed up the travel company's mistake -

"I got caught in this corporate behaviour. I listened too much to the lawyers."

Finally, he realised the story was "not about me. It was about the family."

Take ACTION to Protect your Business

Lawyers do an incredibly important job. They're experts in law. Their input on certain legal issues is absolutely priceless and essential.

But, when it comes to protecting your Corporate Reputation don't leave it to your legal advisers. Yes, leaders must be aware of the legal ramifications of an issue and what you can and cannot say.

However, leaders must also have the COURAGE to stand up to speak to their key audiences. They must do more than focus on the operations and processes. Look at the HUMAN aspect of the issue. Show empathy and human concern.

Learn how to see the media as a willing ally and not simply the enemy.

Is it easy? No. That's why on-going coaching is essential for the top team of leaders and the crisis management team. The alternative is unpalatable.

Ask Thomas Cook!

Silence will damage your business, hurt key relationships and lead to a drop in sales and a lost of TRUST.

Alford

If you want more information on crisis management go here www.t-r-t.co.uk or send an email to [email protected] telephone 0114 287 3170

Alford Grant is a former BBC presenter and reporter

For 18 years diverse companies from Virgin Trains, Rolls-Royce and more have called on his services.

The King of Media Training

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