WINNING BIMBO
“I do not want to leave any impression that I have received preferential treatment in my personal business dealings,” said Sen. Kent Conrad D-N.D., when it became known that he had received a lower mortgage rate on a million dollar plus mortgage for a vacation home on the beach, a type of loan not available to other retail customers. “I never met Angelo Mozilo,” Conrad insisted, later admitting they spoke on the phone, “I did not think for one moment – and no one suggested to me – that I was getting preferential treatment.” Remember the movie “Clueless?” The senator apparently didn’t think anything of it when he called a lobbyist friend who handed the phone over to Mozilo. Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Conn., also received a “VIP” loan. Conrad chairs the Budget Committee and Dodd is chairman of the Banking Committee.
The Wall Street Journal, “Sen. Conrad Addresses Ties To Countrywide,” June 16, 2008
The Wall Street Journal, “Beltwaywide Financial,” June 16, 2008
Portfolio.com, “Countrywide’s Many ‘Friends,’” June 12, 2008
WRONG THING TO SAY
“This is real redneck, sort of, bordering on Appalachia country. This is not northern Virginia, you know, sort of high tech corridor,” said MSNBC’s anchor Andrea Mitchell, covering an appearance of Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama in Bristol, Va. We wonder if the hapless residents of Bristol know they are so “non-high tech.”
MSNBC, June 5, 2008
“Nobody’s out there trading for athletes or offering financial rewards for an athlete to jump from one country to another,” said Jim Scherr, head of the U.S. Olympic Committee. Mr. Scherr was quoted in a story about athletes who were moving to the U.S. from smaller countries in order to compete as U.S. citizens. This is an example of a negative causing comment a missed opportunity. He should have said, “The United States is a magnet for excellence, and we welcome anyone who wants to compete with the best.” Instead, his comment was, at best, half true.
The New York Times, “Swapping Passports in Pursuit of Olympic Medals,” June 15, 2008
POWER OF A WORD
When the principal of a Massachusetts high school said that 17 students made a ‘pact’ to get pregnant, it made national news. The town’s mayor and the principal later quarreled about whether he had used the word ‘pact,’ but the principal, Joseph Sullivan, stuck by his claim that the girls got pregnant intentionally.The school has averaged four pregnancies a year. We can only imagine what kind of life the babies will have with such self-indulgent teenage mothers.
MSNBC.com, “Principal Stands by ‘Pregnancy Pact’ Claim,” June 26, 2008
HOW NOT TO APOLOGIZE
“Dr. Drew meant no harm to Mr. Cruise and apologizes if his comments were hurtful,” said a representative for television host Dr. Drew Pinsky who opined that the actor may have been drawn to Scientology because of “neglect” during childhood. The initial apology is lame, since it only says “if” the comments were hurtful. Of course they were hurtful. Furthermore, the exchange shows the risk of arguing in public. Cruise’s attorney rejected the “apology” and called Pinsky “a posturing flake.” This gave Pinsky another opportunity to comment, “Under no circumstances is Dr. Drew making a blanket diagnosis about Scientology or Mr. Cruise whom he does not know. Dr. Drew was simply using Mr. Cruise as an example of someone who is recognizable to help the public understand.” And, of course, if you believe that, Dr. Drew has some ocean front property in Arizona he’ll make you a great deal on.
People Magazine, “Dr. Drew: I Meant No Harm to Tom Cruise,” June 12, 2008
“I confirm that you were not intoxicated nor were you served alcohol,” wrote the general manager of a Sydney nightclub, offering an “apology” to a provincial education minister, John Della Bosca and his wife after the minister threatened to sue the club. “No one in your party was abusive, swearing or intoxicated,” continued the “apology.” “I am sorry you and your wife were not happy with the service.” The couple was asked to move to another table so the dance floor could be opened. The minister may wish to rethink his threat. Club staff signed depositions that the Minister’s wife swore, threatened their jobs and said she could have the club shut down. This was clearly an “apology” under duress.
The Sydney Morning Herald,” Club Offers apology after NSW MP flags legal action,” June 8, 2008
BIMBO
“Senator Clinton will not concede the nomination this evening,” said a press statement released by the Clinton campaign.Sen. Clinton later conceded the nomination, appearing in Unity, N.H., with Sen. Obama where she pledged to campaign for him.
MSNBC.com, “Clinton camp denies she’ll concede,” June 3, 2008
WRONG THING TO SAY – OR TOTALLY BRILLIANT?
“They’re going to make you afraid... [They’ll say] ‘He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?’” said presumptive Democratic nominee Barack Obama. Probably brilliant as a political statement but we come down on the side of “Wrong Thing to Say.” The issue of the candidate’s race has only been raised by other Democrats.
CNNPolitics.com, “Obama: ‘They’re going to try to make you afraid of me,’” June 21, 2008
THEY FINALLY GOT IT RIGHT!
“The airline industry is in a crisis: its business model doesn’t work with the current price of fuel and the existing level of capacity in the marketplace,” wrote Continental Airlines Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Larry Kellner and President Jeff Smisek in a letter to employees, announcing they would not receive salaries or incentives for the rest of 2008, among other important changes to the company.This is an important lesson more CEOs need to learn. If you’re going to ask your troops for sacrifices, you need to lead the way.
CNN.com, “Continental cuts 3,000 jobs, grounds planes,” June 5, 2008
“I screwed up,” said former NBA great Charles Barkley about an unpaid $400,000 gambling debt. “It was 100 percent my fault. I’m not going to gamble any more. Just because I can afford to lose money doesn’t mean I should do it.” (Refreshing.)
Sports Illustrated, “The Escape Artist: He’s got a Jones for jams but Charles Barkley stays honest and emerges intact,” June 2, 2008
WHAT DO YOUNG WORKERS WANT?
In a poll by Human Resource Executive, the number one thing the Millennial generation of workers want is for “Management’s actions to match its words.” Another example of the importance of communication and of what we call ‘alignment.’ Saying one thing and doing another destroys credibility.
Human Resource Executive, “What Millennials Want,” April 2008
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