“How NOT to Apologize” by Tiger Woods

I couldn’t bring myself to watch Tiger Woods’ self-aggrandizing “apology” today.

As everyone knows, the golf phenom took to the international airwaves an hour ago to publicly apologize for his “irresponsible and selfish” behavior. He went on to confirm his many affairs with many mistresses, say how much he disappointed everyone, how his wife should be praised, blah blah blah. Some people may buy it, but I don’t. And I’m pretty sure there are millions of others out there who see beyond this highly scripted, choreographed and tightly managed dog and pony show. Despite his coming forward today (two months after the sh*t initially hit the fan), people will still be talking about Tiger for quite some time to come. It’s not going to go away soon.

A lesson for all of us mere mortals in the work world – employed and otherwise: If you’ve done something wrong, own up to it. In a timely fashion. In a sincere manner. Don’t wait for the perfect moment to present itself. It never will. Two  months after the fact is just ridiculous. Just take responsibility for your actions up front, and people will have much more respect for you in the long run. Trust me.

GUEST BLOGGER: Miss PR Princess Takes on This New “Don’t Call Me Liz” Debacle in D.C.

From MPS: This story about Rep. Jim McDermott’s (D-Wash.) scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth “Don’t Call Me Liz!” Becton, has been burning up the Web today, and I just can’t believe someone could be so self-involved and stupid! Doesn’t she know email gets forwarded???  Well, I can believe it, but…  My dear friend and today’s Guest Blogger, Miss PR Princess, has provided some wise commentary that you should definitely soak in:

Your Reputation’s all You’ve Got
If you’re lucky enough to be employed, don’t sweat the small stuff; your future employment could depend on it. It’s inevitable; we spend a lot of time at work, and people are going to get on our nerves. Whether it’s the coworker who always tries to steal your thunder or the person in the cubicle next to you who cuts their nails at work; it’s always something. But it’s best to take the advice of relationship counselors and “pick your battles.”

For example, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.), scheduler/office manager, Elizabeth Becton insists (and we do mean insists) on being addressed by her full name — not Liz or any other variant – to the point where she verbally attacked an executive assistant at McBee Strategic (story below). The outrageous e-mail exchange was leaked online, and now this woman could possibly be fired, and worse, her reputation destroyed! She could have just been having a bad day, and now she looks like a total schmuck who no one would ever want to work with. In today’s world, you never know what could get leaked online. And once it’s online; it will show up when your name is Google searched. It’s best to show restraint and keep your cool. If you need to have a difficult conversation, suck it up and have it face-to-face. Don’t put it in writing. Even, and especially if, it’s just “one of those days.” Your future reputation and employment opportunities could depend on it.

Thanks, Miss PR Princess. Love your advice! That chick needs to be run out of D.C. on her you know what.

Related post: https://misspinkslip.wordpress.com/2009/05/18/dont-give-a-damn-bout-your-online-reputation-your-next-employer-sure-does/