There's always an opportunity with crisis. Just as it forces an individual to look inside himself, it forces a company to reexamine its policies and practices.
The ambition and focus that propel you to success can also be your downfall.
It's good to have a healthy ego because that pushes you to succeed. But when you cross a line, and your views are not balanced, that's when you get into trouble.
When times are good, a CEO should remain poised and composed. When times are difficult, a CEO should remain poised and composed.
Crisis is not a nine-to-five job... Crisis happens when you least expect it.
Allegations become facts, and facts become truth in the eyes of the public, whether they are true or not.
I remember having lunch with a friend who worked at the White House. I'd just graduated from law school but kept telling my friend what they needed to do and weren't doing right about the Iran-Contra affair. The next day, I got a call from the White House, offering me a job.
I love what I do, and to be able to see a show that is inspired by my life's work is exciting because it exposes people to what a crisis manager does.
Make sure you are clear about the expectations your boss has for you.
A wonderful quality about America is that we love redemption stories. We're quick to lash out and assign blame, but we also draw from deep reservoirs of forgiveness.
Workplace romances - or even the illusion of a workplace romance - can carry many ramifications and consequences.
I charge by the hour, or I am on a retainer. We try to work with the client.
Establish and maintain good working relationships with co-workers. You don't have to be friends, but you do have to be friendly.
It can be a real blow to our egos when we feel as if our hard-earned degrees don't matter as much as our ability to get the morning coffee orders right.
Look at the facts as they truly are, not as you want them to be.
Most of the time, you think the problem is not as big as it is - because it says something negative about you or your company or your leadership. Face the reality: The facts are not as you want them to be.
I think, sometimes when we face problems and issues in our life, we have a tendency to really deny that a problem exists. Or sometimes we say, oh, it'll go away, or we can handle it. It's - you know, don't worry. I've got it covered. And a lot of times, that's not the case.
I think there are some things that just cannot be fixed.
Above all else, protect your brand. If you or your company doesn't live up to your brand's promise, own up to your error.
I've always been interested in image and reputation management. Because really, when you think about it, it is an old phrase, but all we have is our word and our good name.
