Living in an age where even the historical writings of children’s author Roald Dahl are deemed offensive, you have to wonder how vulnerable your (or your business’s) reputation may be in a time when many people are hypersensitive and easily offended.
It begs the question (assuming it matters to you) can you control your reputation? And are you in control? Or have you left it to fate?
Adele got into trouble for saying she loved being a woman. Pop singer Harry Styles was slammed when he said, ‘this doesn’t happen to people like me’ after accepting a Grammy for album of the year “Harry’s House”—it had something to do with him being a white male where most of the previous winners have been white males. He meant that it doesn’t happen to people who grow up in a middle-class family in a Cheshire village.
Reputational trouble can come out of nowhere. Did the forestry industry have even an inkling that it would come under fire for forestry slash as a result of catastrophic flooding?
Is anybody safe, and what can you do about it?
With cancel culture on the rise, it’s more important than ever to take control of your reputation and protect it from being tarnished by the hypersensitivity of others.
Can you control or influence your reputation? You have control over your actions and words, but you can’t control how others perceive or interpret them. However, you can take steps to protect your reputation in the face of a cancel culture.
First and foremost, it’s essential to be aware of what you say and how others may perceive it. Before speaking or posting online, take a moment to consider how different groups of people may interpret your words. This doesn’t mean you have to be overly cautious or refrain from expressing your opinions, but rather that you should be thoughtful and respectful in your communication.
Another critical aspect of protecting your reputation is proactively addressing any concerns or criticisms that may arise. If you’re accused of saying or doing something offensive, it’s important to take responsibility for your actions and apologise — but only if you are guilty and the accusations have merit. Ignoring the issue or becoming defensive will only make matters worse.
It’s also a good idea to have a plan for handling any negative publicity or backlash that may come your way. This could include having a crisis management communications plan or knowing how to respond to negative comments on social media.
Being aware of your online presence and how others perceive it is important. Look at your social media profiles and consider whether they reflect the image you want to portray. If not, make changes or delete content that may be seen as offensive or inappropriate.
Your reputation is your most valuable asset, both personally and professionally. It’s what people think of you and how they perceive you. A tarnished reputation can have long-lasting consequences, both in terms of personal relationships and business opportunities.
While you can’t control how others perceive your actions and words, you can take steps to protect your reputation. Be thoughtful in your communication, take responsibility for your actions, and be proactive by addressing any concerns or criticisms to ensure that your reputation remains intact.
In today’s hyper-sensitive and easily offended society, protecting your reputation has never been more important.