Life Usually Presents Exit Signs as a Safe Way Out. Take Them.
Reputation risks can be avoided or mitigated if we make smarter, moral, ethical decisions
Exit signs in troubled situations are present and valuable for a reason. They help us stay safe. Usually, our instincts motivate us towards safety and self preservation. So, why is it then that we don’t always look for those signs, less obvious as they may be sometimes, when it comes to opportunities to move away from danger and towards safety when it involves decision making and action that negatively impacts how people experience, perceive and judge us?
The reality is too many figurative exit signs are being bypassed which would help us protect a respected or decent reputation because we are either ignorant or more often, impulsive or arrogant or both. If you prefer, you can think of a red, yellow and green lights to stop doing something, be cautious or start doing something.
Reputation damage is expensive, tangibly and intangibly and is not usually easy to overcome. Therefore, I propose to you that it's not a smart decision or habit to not take the (moral) exit signs that people or life offer us.
These can be forgiveness, a second or third or fourth chance, the opportunity to sincerely apologize and make “right.” Or simply doing what is morally right and expected as a standard of thinking and behavior. Maybe it’s leaving something or someone alone. Or coming forward responsibly. Or stopping something immediately. Or starting to do the correct thing and keep doing it.
These are just some of many examples.
Which ones can you think of right now or after your mind has time and interest to think and talk to you?
Michael Toebe is a reputation consultant, advisor and communications specialist at Reputation Quality, assisting individuals and organizations with further building reputation as an asset or ethically protecting, restoring or reconstructing it.
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