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February 21, 2006
Oh, Lord, deliver us from hubris
Only the blindest of loyalists, Mary Matalin, excuses the ham-fistedness with which Dick Cheney and the White House have handled the shooting episode. And that, apparently, is because she participated in the debacle from the beginning. No wonder she’s trying to justify Veep’s non-response.
In a shameful column in Monday’s New York Times, Elizabeth Bumiller gives full acccess to Matalin’s propagandized apologia — the veep was so focused on Harry’s well-being that he was oblivious to anything else. Please. Veeps must be able to walk and chew gum at the same time.
So, what is the lesson for public relations professionals? I believe the answer is simple. But not easy. It’s not a neat list of 10 do’s and don’ts. PR practitioners must dissuade the leaders of an organization from possessing hubris. The dictionary defines hubris as “exaggerated pride or self-confidence often resulting in retribution.” Bingo.
Matalin can blame the White House press corps for hyperventilating, but it is the result of the veep’s dismissive attitude toward reprobates who dare to ask questions about his program. This is not a criticism of his program. It is a commentary on his purity. There are consequences when the “pure” slip up, as Veep did with his shotgun.
Those charged with tending to the reputation of an organization must find ways — without being nags — to remind their leaders to be humble. To recognize that sooner or later, they, too, will slip up. And while the media will do their job, it should be the communicator’s hope that journalists take no special glee in vivisecting the leader who has made an honest mistake.
That won’t happen if the leader’s life is marked by hubris.
Posted Feb 21 2006 @ 06:38 AM