… your last performance
In class, we discussed the challenges social media adds to our life. It brings into question if it is worth being a leader if we are at the mercy of making a mistake that destroys our credit or follows us around for the rest of our life.
This makes me wonder how we go about restoring ourselves if we ever fall from the public’s grace. Are we forever scorned? Is there a mistake that is too universally bad that keeps us forever black marked? Or does time truly cure all wounds? Based on how invaluable time is, this is already a costly trade-off for any mistake. It is obvious that the mistake plays a big part. However, since perception is so important, and also very fickle, a mistake to one person might not be as big as it is to another. Does this then imply that a leader that knows his or her audience – those that provide the crown – and understand which mistakes to avoid will see more success? Or since we are fallible humans are we all just ticking time bombs until we find the ‘unlucky’ combination that upsets the right people.
At least in Troilus & Cressida, it implies that we are remembered for our most recent performance. Since Achillies has only thrived off his previous successes instead of creating new ones, he has become forgotten. Good or bad, this leads me to think that there is always a way to change the perception of the past. The discussion from Mike Isaac last week sounded as though there might even be a restorative formula in Silicon Valley for individuals that have been given the black mark of career death. We as humans have horrible memories, and this can work in a leader’s favor. I think the key is to take charge of our own narrative. In the Ben Franklin reading, it was stated that if Ben Franklin did not write his story, someone else would. I think this is why media is so powerful. It has the ability to manipulate the perceptions of audiences, regardless of the facts. This is what I have been noticing in my research of our leader Stan Lee. Many articles say similar things, but it is how it is said that determines positive or negative implications.
I wonder how many scrutinized leaders were given black marks because they didn’t take charge of the narrative.
Comments:
Hi Connor,
I think crafting your narrative is super important. Like John Paul said, you need to create a reputation for leadership and also maintain that claim to leadership. I think many leaders make mistakes (to err is human, right)? How you recover from your mistakes is really a test of your leadership. Being able to admit a mistake, fix it the best you can and move forward is probably the best way to approach. John Paul also mentioned in class that the goal is to get the better end of gossip. You can’t completely avoid it because if you do, you won’t stay relevant.
I like how you brought up Mike Isaac’s talk about Super Pumped. I think Travis Kalanick had an incredibly easy way to “lay low” by traveling to a private island while he figures out his next move. He is a billionaire and has the money and opportunity for his next project.
These are good points. I sometimes wonder if the general public cares about growth and second chances. I think we all hope to be given one, but I think we also like to avoid giving them out.
At least to your point, I think people have to admit they made a mistake and move forward. I don’t think there is any other option. Which makes being a leader all the more challenging. I think it goes back to what we learn in class, ‘whether we like it or not…’ this is how society is. I just like thinking about how we are as the people that consume leaders.
I think it helps to frame how leaders need to strategize.
Haha! I agree with your point with Travis being able to afford it. I suppose that once you get to his level, the more volatile and deeper the errors go. The anonymous people that have little money likely do not have to worry about making mistakes since they are less known.
Thanks for the discussion! It has given me some more things to contemplate
