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Monday, October 23, 2006

The Court of Public Opinion

Too often, right and wrong is in the eye of the beholder. Take the University of Miami and the “big fight” in its game with Florida International University.

The difference in how these two institutions handled their players’ behavior couldn’t be more stark. If you’re a die-hard Miami fan, you might not agree with me, or you may be terribly embarrassed by your alma mater. I think Donna Shalala’s comments and actions are shameful, especially in comparison with Florida International’s actions.

Two FIU players were kicked off team; one Miami player was given an indefinite suspension. Sixteen other FIU players sanctioned for their roles in the brawl were suspended indefinitely, while 12 more Miami players sat out one game against a winless team.

Shalala gave extensive apologies to everyone, but they lost all value with the rest of her comments and actions. Saying “we will not throw any student under the bus for instant restoration of our image or our reputation.” How about the player who kicked another player who was on the ground? Isn’t that worth kicking him off the team?

The team has since instituted a “zero tolerance” for fighting. What was the policy before? Didn’t anyone know right from wrong till now? How many parents want their sons playing for that team? At least one prized recruit’s family said their son won’t be going to Miami after all.

Do her actions reinforce the bad-boy image of Miami that began in the 80s? What would the result be if Shalala said the University of Miami doesn’t condone such behavior, that the school would be permanently suspending some of the players, not just pulling a few from a game against a winless team? Don’t you think it would change public perception?

Two basic lessons here: the court of public opinion will rule and your actions must support your words.

--FULL ENTRY--

11:40 PM | 0 comment(s)

Tuesday, October 10, 2006

How do we know it’s a crisis?

If the facts of an event are iffy and outside anything we’ve ever experienced, is it a crisis? Or are we in denial?

As a crisis manager, it’s difficult for me to peg all this stuff with North Korea. They break into the news to tell us a rogue nation is now a nuclear power. But maybe not. We have to wait for verification that it really was a nuclear detonation. Then the word is pretty much in agreement that it was a nuclear explosion. But maybe not as big as touted by the North Koreans.

Now, we have reports of a second explosion. Is it nuclear? Is it an accident? Why didn’t the North Koreans tout the explosion in advance as they did the first one? Just a few hours later, the explosion was redefined as an earthquake.

And throughout all this is the “diplo-speak” from the people we look to in times of national uncertainty.

The general consensus is it’s a terrible thing. Whatever that “thing” is. And “steps” will be taken. But no hint of what those steps will be.
As a mother, I see all this on another level. First, just what the heck happened? And why don’t I know the specifics. How did the kids manage to do so much damage? Reportedly, allegedly.

As a mother, I back up my threats with action. As a mother and grandmother, I’m scared, very scared, for the world.

Is it good crisis management to keep us guessing about what happened and what’s going to happen? Or is it ignorance and incompetence? Either way, I HATE IT! What about you?

--FULL ENTRY--

8:45 PM | 0 comment(s)