Trade Tips: But I Thought You Said…

Trade Tips: But I Thought You Said…

By: Nicole Hayes

We’ve all been there. Someone gives us an instruction and we neglect to truly listen, fully understand, ask questions and write it down. We return to our desk to carry out the task thinking we heard one thing and inevitably learn we were told something else. The project has now taken on another shape, with unnecessary time and resources involved. The  response from the poor listener tends to be, “But I thought you said to…” and the person communicating the instructions could rightfully  reply, “What I said was…” Soon each person could blame the other for miscommunications.

To avoid such impasses, property sales entrepreneur and author of Little Things Matter, Todd Smith shares “Six Ways to Avoid Misunderstandings.” Here are Todd’s tips:

1)      Make Sure Your Written Communications Are Clear. Reread your message to determine if it could be misunderstood in some way.

2)      Evaluate the Clarity of Your Written Communications.  People aren’t mind readers and most of your key thoughts may lie trapped in your head and not fully communicated.  Be clear and deliberate with what you say.

3)      Write All Things Down and Repeat Them.  Make a commitment from now on to write down instructions given to you. Then, review those instructions with the person.  This will also give you a confidence in completing the task.

4)      Watch for Potential Misunderstandings. Pay attention to comments people make, confused looks on their faces in responses or other distractions that may brew miscommunications.

5)      Confirm All Details in Writing. Event dates, deadlines, deliverables, roles you’re assigned—write it all down so there is no confusion. You are 100% accountable for ensuring the information received is correct. The more personal responsibility you accept in this process the less likely a miscommunication will occur.

6)      Ask Others to Repeat What They Heard. Ask others to repeat their instructions back to you, to confirm what was said. You can also gain clarity by saying, “What I believe I heard you say was…” and that person will indicate whether or not the instructions you’ve received are correct.

As communications professionals we know it’s not always about talking, but more listening. Maybe you’re already using these tips, but if not, we share these tools to improve.  All the best!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving!

McKinney & Associates would like to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving holiday, and if you're traveling, please be safe!

Comm in The Storm will be suspended for Thursday and Friday and will return next Monday the 28th.  

Best Wishes!

From 1917 to 2011... Look How Far We've Come

From 1917 to 2011... Look How Far We've Come

By Shannon Mouton

Suffragists being arrested (c) 1917

Greenboro Sit-in 1963

Civil Rights marchers hosed 1963 (video)

Kent State student protesters 1970

UC, Davis protesters 2011 (video)

When will it end?

Criminal Justice: Never Ending Crime and Punishment

Never Ending Crime and Punishment

By Llenda Jackson-Leslie

One of the harshest realities of our criminal justice system is that punishment can be never ending. Walking through the prison gates doesn’t guarantee a fresh start. The lingering stigma of a previous conviction continues to haunt many former prisoners and often fuels their return to prison. Finding a job with a prison record is next to impossible, regulations bar them from public housing and many states have enacted punitive restrictions which make it next to impossible for former prisoners to regain their right to vote.

 
The Washington Post posted a recent blog on the high rate of unemployment among the formerly incarcerated in the DC area 46% , you can read the article here the article is based on a report by the Court Excellence Project, you can access the report here.

Harold Hill is luckier than most, he’s found a job and re-connected with family. His struggle to turn his life around was published in the Washington Post, you can read the article here

Strong Laws and Lax Enforcement

The DC police are being called out once again for failing to enforce laws that intended to protect gay, lesbian and transgender District residents from violence and intimidation based on their sexual identity. Activists have taken to the streets to put DC cops on blast. Read Police Chief Kathy Lanier’s response here.

Video: Disparities in Media Coverage for Occupy Wallstreet Movement

Video: Disparities in Media Coverage for

Occupy Wallstreet Movement

By: Ryan Duncan

The Occupy Wall Street movement has been going on for months now and this week, we began to see a crack down on many of the Occupy Wall Street camps across the country. From Zuccotti Park, to Oakland, to Portland, OR, and Berkeley, CA police, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, began removing protesters from their camps, often leading to violent confrontations. There efforts proved futile, however, as protesters vowed to return no matter what, and return they have. What's interesting to witness is the disparity in media coverage of the protests and the crack downs. The video above, via the Huffington Post, provides a side-by-side comparison of the coverage between left-leaning MSNBC and the conservatively-biased Fox News. With movements like these, it's all about controling the messaging, and unfortunately it's unlikely the Occupy protesters will find many friends with the powers that be, that currently control most of our major media outlets.

What do you think? Is there a media-bias against the Occupy Wall Street movement?

Read more about media disinformation of the Occupy Wall Street movement.

Video: Spying on Americans - Where Do We Draw The Line?

Spying on Americans - Where Do We Draw The Line?

By: Ryan Duncan

In New York, the Handschu rules place limits on surveillance. In the wake of Sept. 11, 2001, a judge loosened the law, technically allowing police to infiltrate any group. The namesake of the Handschu rules says it shouldn't be that way and wants her name removed from the law. A judge denied her request. She's concerned the rules are being used to justify the widespread surveillance of Muslim Americans. They also don't approve of the use of surveillance on protesters, as has been occuring during the Occupy Wallstreet movement. The theory is, when people think they're being watched, they'll be scared to dissent.

Where do we draw the line between protecting our safety, and protecting our rights to free speech and assembly?

Rolling Out The Welcome Mat

Rolling Out The Welcome Mat

By Shannon Mouton

Wow, this is a big world with 193 countries and 7 billion people speaking 6,500 languages. Think of it, immigrants from the around the world come here, the United States of America. We should be humbled, with our widely known and often discussed history of slavery, discrimination, intolerance and injustice, they still want to come here. They want to live with us; they want to be our neighbors and they want to call America home.

They come here singing "America! America! God shed his grace on thee..."
They come here thinking we are "the land of the free and the home of the brave..."
They come here accepting Lady Liberty's invitation, "Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses..."
They come here knowing with hard work and perseverance, they too can achieve the American Dream.
They come here believing in democracy, "with liberty and justice for all."
To put it quite simply, they think we are all of that and a bag of chips.
Are we? Is America living up to the hype?

I'm not so sure anymore:

Most of us are aware of the Arizona law, SB 1070, which encourages racial profiling because it requires "law enforcement officers attempt to determine an individual's immigration status during a 'lawful stop, detention or arrest' when there is reasonable suspicion that the individual is an illegal immigrant..."

In June Alabama passed HB 56, which "requires public schools to check students’ immigration status, criminalizes giving an undocumented immigrant a ride, and instructs police to check the immigration status of anyone they stop if they suspect the person of being an undocumented immigrant."

Not to mention redlining, LGBTQ discrimination, sexual harassment and pay inequities, voter fraud elimination schemes and the rise of hate crimes.

Yep, I can see why immigrants would want to come here. We're so open to people not like us.

Trade Tip: Breathe & Delegate

Breathe & Delegate

By Nicole Hayes

We’re entering the time of year when holiday parties, gatherings with out of town family and friends, and lengthy “to-do” lists will have us scurrying to and fro, hopefully without injury. Meanwhile, we diligently strive to finish all work assignments, post to the blog, send out that tweet, prattle off emails, attend meetings, and oh yes—take kitty or puppy to the vet and go to that necessary doctor’s appointment. If you had a clone, you just might get it all done without breaking a sweat. But since none of us have clones, here’s how you can survive and thrive (particularly for “A-type” personalities who need to “do-it-all”):

1. Delegate what you can to others. Give the person clear directions on what needs accomplished and the end goal. Provide the “who, what, when, where, why and how,” along with your expectations.
2. Be confident in others’ abilities. You’re a superman or superwoman in your work, but even superheroes have to recharge to stay powerful. Once you’ve given clear instructions on delegated assignments, have confidence in that person’s ability and talents to see the task through. They want to please you in the process and appreciate your trust in them (although the occasional “touch base” never hurts).
3. Learn to say “No” where you can. If you’re asked to host 20 people for Thanksgiving dinner but view this as unrealistic with your schedule, culinary skills or kitchen amenities, let people know and say what is feasible for you. People will typically understand.
4. Make lists. If you think you’ll forget something, write it down. If your brain is still thinking of tasks before you go to sleep, write it down. Sleep won’t come if you’re dreaming deadlines and spreadsheets.
5. Control what you can, manage your time. Consider what items you can knock out easily that require less time and will eliminate last minute rush. (Ex: Writing your blog posts or tweets beforehand). This will ensure these tasks occur uninterrupted when unexpected happenings pop up (and they will).
6. Take lunch breaks. Get up and walk around, reenergize yourself by stepping away from the work. You’ll be more insightful and productive when you return to the task.
7. Exercise! If your proverbial response is, “I don’t have time,” the answer is: “Do you have 10 minutes?” Even a few jumping jacks, brief stretching, walk around the block can increase endorphins giving you energy and pull you out of a slump.
8. Pamper yourself. Getting the manicure, pedicure or ‘do done, can do wonders and take your mind off the to-do lists.
9. Voicemail—use it! Don’t be afraid to let some calls go to voicemail if your time is tight. Allow yourself to finish your task where you can return the call and be fully present in the conversation. If the person calling typically spends 45 minutes catching you up on the latest reality show, you can probably send that call straight to voicemail.

Study the pros for more tips. A quick read of best-selling book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven R. Covey, may offer you great insight in successfully addressing personal and professional dilemmas.

Video: A Protest Song For Occupy Wall Street

A Protest Song For Occupy Wall Street

Performed last night to an audience that included President Obama. From the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

Slack-key celebrity Makana used his performance at an APEC dinner last night at the Hale Koa Hotel as an opportunity to get his pro-Occupy Wall Street movement views out to President Barack Obama and other world leaders. Makana wore an "Occupy with Aloha" t-shirt under his black blazer and sang his newest song, "We are the Many," an anthem of sorts for Occupy protestors. The lyrics include, "Ye come here gather 'round the stage; The time has come for us to voice our rage."

We hope the President and all who hear this song are inspired by its truly poignant message.

We Are The Many

Ye come here, gather 'round the stage
The time has come for us to voice our rage
Against the ones who've trapped us in a cage
To steal from us the value of our wage

From underneath the vestiture of law
The lobbyists at Washington do gnaw
At liberty, the bureaucrats guffaw
And until they are purged, we won't withdraw

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

Our nation was built upon the right
Of every person to improve their plight
But laws of this Republic they rewrite
And now a few own everything in sight

They own it free of liability
They own, but they are not like you and me
Their influence dictates legality
And until they are stopped we are not free

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You enforce your monopolies with guns
While sacrificing our daughters and sons
But certain things belong to everyone
Your thievery has left the people none

So take heed of our notice to redress
We have little to lose, we must confess
Your empty words do leave us unimpressed
A growing number join us in protest

We occupy the streets
We occupy the courts
We occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

You can't divide us into sides
And from our gaze, you cannot hide
Denial serves to amplify
And our allegiance you can't buy

Our government is not for sale
The banks do not deserve a bail
We will not reward those who fail
We will not move till we prevail

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We'll occupy the streets
We'll occupy the courts
We'll occupy the offices of you
Till you do
The bidding of the many, not the few

We are the many
You are the few

Diversity: Segregation IS Natural

Diversity: Segregation IS Natural

By Shannon Mouton

 

segregate (v): to separate or set apart from others or from the main body or group; isolate

It is time to be really real with each other...we are more comfortable with our own kind, and it is okay. It is natural.

Look at nature, lions roam the plains with lions, wolves run in packs with other wolves and even ants build highly structured colonies with other ants. Segregation is natural. It is only in the most complex ecosystems, such as a rain forest, where multiple species co-exist, interact and depend on each other. For them, integration is natural. 

 

As we are all homo sapiens, shouldn't it be easier for us to co-habitate?

This is where the rubber meets the road...we have to move above and beyond what is natural and comfortable for our own ever-increasingly complex ecosystem to survive and flourish. The troubling part is the breadth and depth of segregation, it permeates every part of American society and culture. For most of us it is an unconscious way of life. Consider Sunday, it the most segregated day of the week. Monday through Friday we labor side-be-side, have lunch together and my imbibe at a happy hour with each other. On Saturday, our children play soccer together, we shop, go the movies and co-mingle throughout the afternoon. But Sunday is a very different thing for most of us. Race-based denominations, congregations and conventions abound:

• The African Methodist Episcopal Church
• St. Augustine Catholic Church, "the Mother Church of African American Catholics"
• The National Baptist Convention, "the nation's oldest and largest African American religious convention"

This is in no way meant as an indictment of religion, faith, denominations, congregations, etc. These organizations and their founders were forced to segregate because of prejudice and fear in the 18th and 19th centuries, and while they are open to all, the members are still predominantly Black. And there are countless unforced examples in our lives:

• white music (country, bluegrass, metal) and Black music (R&B, hip hop, neo-soul)
• white entertainment (Everybody Loves Earl and opera) and Black entertainment (Meet the Browns and go-gos)
• white sports (hockey, lacrosse and swimming) and Black sports (basketball, football and boxing)

There are the so-call exceptions for each of these categories, you know who they are, the "blue-eyed soul brother" or the "Black diva."

 

Yes, yes, yes...let's just admit it, put it out in the open...we prefer being with others like us. We feel welcome, safe and empowered; we are in our comfort zones with others like us. However, consider this, "If you put yourself in a position where you have to stretch outside your comfort zone, then you are forced to expand your consciousness." ~Les Brown

 

How will you move beyond your comfort zone?

What one thing can you do to make your life more integrated?

Real PR Power

Real PR Power

By: Gwen McKinney

The art of winning friends and influencing people. 

That’s how public relations pioneer Ofield Dukes sums up the profession.

This is a man who has easily cleared more paths to progress in his long and storied career than an army of public relations professionals could attempt in their collective lifetime. Better yet, match one Ofield Dukes for 50 PR Powerbrokers and he still comes out on top! 

Fifty is the magic number that PR Week designated for its controversial July edition saluting the mostly white men and women who they decreed worthy of their listing of most powerful PR leaders. Not a single African American PR professional made the list.

A chorus of outrage ensued. And after a volley of emails that ended with me and PR Week Editor Steve Barrett agreeing to disagree, I let it rest – but not die. As one of my Linked-In pals suggested, why let power be defined by a magazine that makes their picks from big PR agencies and corporations based on the size of their ad budget to the book? That wasn’t just a question, but a call to action.

So to my Linked-In buddies who agreed to join me, this is the grand kickoff of our “Real PR Power” campaign.

To others, I say, “Y’all come too!”  Nominate, educate and help us salute deserving people whose work and impact deserve attention.

That takes me back to Ofield Dukes. The founder of the National Black Public Relations Society, he insisted African Americans stake out a voice and role in the profession. He has mentored more people than anyone can count and is a reliable stalwart for diversity in the industry and beyond. Having served as a communications counselor to every Democratic president since Lyndon Johnson, Ofield recently relocated from DC after 46 years to his native Detroit. There, he can be close to family as he wages a battle against Multiple Myeloma, a bone cancer that he describes as unpredictable “but not a death sentence.”  While his health is ailing, his spirit of sharing and believing remains immense. 

We talked recently when I reached out to ask him to join me on a panel to surface the Real PR Power nominees.  He graciously said, “of course.” While panel members can’t nominate themselves or be nominated, I reserve the right to use this kickoff of Real PR Power campaign to issue a round of applause to the inimitable Ofield Dukes, who embodies all that we want to convey.

A  speech he gave last year to communications students in Buffalo reminds me of his charm and magic. Cheers to Ofiled and look out for Real PR Power role models soon!

How Did This Happen?

Social Justice: How Did This Happen?

By Shannon Mouton

Last month, the DNC announced the hiring of "Greg Hinton as its first-ever Chief Diversity Officer."

Really? The Democratic Party needs a Chief Diversity Officer? Really? Does anyone else see the irony in this?

I don't get it. The Democratic Party is the party of the people...Black, brown, white, Jew, Protestant, GLBT, women, etc. Almost any and every marginalized group has been able to find some political refuge under the Democratic umbrella. This is why I'm disheartened to learn the party has hired a CDO; it shouldn't need to hire one.

I was there, 20 years ago, and it was great. Ron Brown was the first Black chairman of a major political party. Alexis Herman was there, along with a slew of men and women representing every facet, shade and angle of America. The consultants and contractors also represented different slices of the American pie. The DCCC and the Convention Committee were equally diverse.

There wasn't a need for a CDO, people understood the headquarters for a political party had to look like the people in the party. How did Democratic leaders forget that most basic principle?

I'm sad, oh so sad.

Media Monday: Are You Ready?

Media Monday: Are You Ready?

By Nicole Hayes

This Monday was a media feast as cable news networks had “breaking news” segments seemingly every hour. At least three major news stories had viewers glued: 1-  A fourth woman named in the Herman Cain sexual harassment scandal held a live press conference in New York and revealed details of inappropriate sexual conduct she received from Cain (She did this with noted women’s rights attorney and pit bull Gloria Allred at her side). 2- Penn State University spokespersons scrambled to address child sex abuse allegations against a former assistant football coach and  deal with those who allegedly knew about the incidents and did not intervene. 3- A “guilty of involuntary manslaughter” verdict was rendered to Dr. Conrad Murray in the five-week long trial for drug overdose death of Michael Jackson.

Monday’s breaking headlines continually remind us that crises are potentially certain, and your message, response and strategy for successfully moving through also needs to be certain. Incidentally, Cain and his team were sucker-punched the Monday before when the initial story broke of sexual harassment allegations against him. So is PR still necessary? Obviously so. Social media has its role but there is no replacement for the effective, ethical, prepared and seasoned communicator to manage media events. Even with a sunny forecast, rain can sneak in and interrupt our plans. Are you armed with your umbrella to calmly face whatever the day brings? Or will you be running in your good suit, looking foolish, drenched and seeking cover? Be ready for the crisis.

This November 3, 2011 article  “10 Reasons PR Still Matters” by Doug Flora of Morristown Communications, reminds us that the media is always chomping at the bit for a good crisis. How long that story remains a “crisis” is up to you.

We are the 90%

We are the 90%

By: Llenda Jackson-Leslie

We’ve all heard of the 99%. Most of us are in the 99%-- in New York there’s also the 90% that’s the percentage of New Yorkers who are stopped for no good reason whatsoever and are innocent of any crime or suspected criminal act or behavior.

What’s even more astonishing of the 3 million New Yorkers who have been stopped, questioned or searched between 2004 and 2010--- 90 % of them--- were you guessed it Black and Latino. The New York ACLU did an exhaustive report—using the figures from NYPD records. Yes, the police department admits that 90% of the people they stop are completely innocent. So why hasn’t NYPD cleaned up its act. Maybe the Justice Department needs to step in. Read the report here.

The prison industrial complex is also one of the key issues undermining the stability of communities of color, and we are more likely to be focused on Attica or San Quentin than Wall Street, unless the linkages are made. Occupiers must pay attention to occupants.  

What about the 13%

That’s the percentage of African American men who are permanently barred from voting by felony disenfranchisement

Nationally, an estimated 5.3 million Americans are denied the right to vote because of laws that prohibit voting by people with felony convictions. Felony disenfranchisement is an obstacle to participation in democratic life which is exacerbated by racial disparities in the criminal justice system, resulting in an estimated 13% of Black men unable to vote.  Sadly, in the all-out assault on voting rights by right wing extremists financed by the Koch brothers, several states have rolled back paths to enfranchisement for former prisoners.

Sotomayer dissents from SC refusal to hear death penalty appeal

The Supreme Court refused to hear controversial death penalty case—from our nation’s leading executioner-Texas. That’s the case where death row prisoner Duane Buck appealed his sentence arguing his right to a fair trial was violated when an expert witness testified that African Americans pose a greater risk of "future dangerousness." In Texas, a jury must find that a defendant poses a continuing threat to society in order to recommend a death sentence. Justice Kagan joined the dissent. Read Sotomayer’s dissent here here.

Video: RWJF President Risa Lavizzo-Mourey Accepts 2011 APHA Presidential Citation

Video: RWJF President Risa Lavizzo-Mourey

Accepts 2011 APHA Presidential Citation

By: Ryan Duncan

Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, MD, MBA, President and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF) joined the ranks of Nelson Mandela, the National Association of Community Health Centers, the National WIC Association and families of public health workers everywhere as she recieved the prestigious APHA Presidential Citation as part of the keynote speech in the Opening Session of the American Public Health Association Annual Meeting. This represents the first time that a philanthropy has received the citation.

Dr. Mourey said in her remarks:

“To improve Americans’ health, we need to look at where people live, learn, work and play to get at the factors that shape health even more profoundly than the health care we get when we’re sick,” said Lavizzo-Mourey in a Q&A with the APHA blog, Public Health Newswire. “Improving America’s health requires leadership and action from every sector, including public health, health care, education, transportation, community planning, private business and other areas.”

Congratulations to Dr. Mourey and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation for receiving this well-deserved and prestigious award!



Diversity: Keeping DC Walmart Free

Local rapper Head-Roc has a message for Walmart

Diversity: Keeping DC Walmart Free

By: Tamara Braunstein

Local rapper Head-Roc released a new track last week calling out the social justice issues of allowing Walmart to infiltrate some notoriously impoverished neighborhoods in DC.

The video, produced by Empower DC, is shot in black and white and relies heavily on imagery reflective of the Chocolate City moniker, especially small, minority-owned and operated businesses. Subtitles are provided, but one of the most interesting moments occurs around the 1 min. 23 sec. mark, when Dr. Jared Ball, “the Funkinest Journalist,” cuts into the track with the “Three Walmart Commandments”:

1. Move in and crush competition by underselling
2. Pay workers nothing and block unionization
3. Take all that money, put it into the Walton Family Foundation, and turn that into political influence to protect yourself and make even more

Mr. Head-Roc goes on to rap that “the Walton families are big contributors to bigoted representatives and senators…results in Black and Brown casualties.” Despite Walmart’s conspicuous self-promotion to win our approval, it’s clear from this video that some residents are aware and wary of the big-box’s intentions. But what does it mean on a broader scale?

Has Walmart become just another embodiment of DC’s classic racial socio-economic disparities debate?

The original 99 percent

By Shannon Mouton

The 99% are frustrated, fed-up and downright angry.

They are angry for several reasons,

We are the 99 percent. We are getting kicked out of our homes. We are forced to choose between groceries and rent. We are denied quality medical care. We are suffering from environmental pollution. We are working long hours for little pay and no rights, if we're working at all. We are getting nothing while the other 1 percent is getting everything. We are the 99 percent. [from We Are The 99 Percent]

And while they are entitled to their feelings, many people of color, especially Blacks and Latinos, have had these feelings for decades or longer. People of color are the original 99 percent. For the majority of the 20th century, we were locked out, kicked out, held down, beat down, pushed aside, put asunder and so on, while a majority of the American majority prospered under the guise of the American Dream.

It isn't that people of color don't agree with the movement or support its principles, we're wondering what took you so long to join the fight? So when people wonder and speculate why the #OccupyWallStreet movement isn't more the diverse, for many of us the answer is simple..."It's your turn, I'm taking a break."

Trade Tips: Transparency Brings Trust

Trade Tips: Transparency Brings Trust

By Nicole Hayes

When will they learn? Hermain Cain’s presidential campaign is undergoing “damage control” and communications crisis as he issued statements this week to address allegations of sexual harassment toward two female employees when he headed the National Restaurant Association in the 1990s. The women referenced being subjected to “inappropriate behavior and inappropriate sexual conduct” from Cain and at least one woman received a monetary settlement. Over the past two days, Cain has given several varying statements to the public on whether the allegations were true, if there was a settlement or “agreement” made to satisfy the women’s complaints. Cain complained that he’s the subject of a “witch hunt” and a “bull’s-eye has been placed on his back.” But isn’t that kind of a given when you’re running for public office? Even the more reason for full transparency. Now, the trust he may have held with some public supporters is waning.

As witnessed in past examples of some public figures’ inability to be fully transparent, even a small drift from the truth can be sensed by people and the media. The media can be unforgiving and relentless when pursuing the truth…and they will surface the truth. With no escape in sight, some will choose that moment to give full disclosure of their transgression to seek our forgiveness and understanding.

We wrote on this topic in June with regard to Rep. Anthony Weiner (D-NY) and the public shunning he faced for his 10-days of deceiving the media and public.  Like many other public relations counselors, we provided guidance how to best manage such situations. The golden rule: Tell the truth. Be as transparent as you can with the information you have that moment. Get ahead of your story and control it so no one else does. Transparency brings trust. Some may not like your honesty but most will respect you for it.

Note: We’ll keep these tips in our archives for repeat offenders.