Wednesday, March 05, 2014

The Many Audiences Problem


Leaders of large organizations have a multitude of audiences and all of them may be watching at the same time.

Those groups range from the highly supportive all the way over to the strongly opposed. Statements and conduct regarded as amusing or boldly philosophical by the first group may be seen as weak or weak-minded by the second. 

That is why an internal filter is needed; a sense of discretion that catches the witty but cruel, the cool but wimpish, the open but meandering, and blocks them from being uttered. It is also why not every action or comment deserves a response. 

Silence can be both eloquent and wise.

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