It takes 20 years to build a reputation and five minutes to ruin it.
In 2018, US comedian and actor Kevin Hart stepped down from hosting the 2019 Oscars following a controversy over homophobic anti-gay tweets that he’d posted over 10 years earlier.
The controversy was so heated that he subsequently chose to step down from his dream role because he did not want to be a distraction the night. He’d basically tweeted himself out of one of the celebrated ‘jobs’ in Hollywood as his reputation took a big hit despite his talent and fame.
Reputation far outlives fame. Fame is fleeting, but a good or bad reputation follows you for life – because we live in a world, especially a digital one, where old mistakes can be unearthed and regurgitated to your horror – especially when they reflect the person you used to be, and not who you are today.
So whatever you do, even if you’re courting fame, make sure you understand your choices, words and actions could impact your reputation - if not now, they might so in the future.
Mistakes that impact your reputation can also impact your revenue when contracts and sponsorships are dropped, and your brand continuity and planning disrupted. Your family as well can be impacted by a crisis, causing emotional stress and strain from the unwanted media and public attention.
So what can you do to not tweet yourself out of a job?
Future proof your brand and reputation by ensuring whatever you do comes from a place of love for others, deep insight, wisdom and introspection. Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, the world’s largest LGBTQ media advocacy organization had this to say* in the wake of Kevin’s Hart’s controversy: “In this modern-day game of David versus Goliath, the publicist-penned apologies and PR tactics of yesteryear are no match for the power and magnitude of voices that were once marginalized. A positive relationship with a community cannot be manufactured by a clever press statement. Real acceptance calls for real heart.”
Think strategically – undertake media and crisis training, train your team as well, assess your vulnerabilities, and draft and test a response plan.
Of course, the best way to manage a crisis is to avoid one in the first place. However, mistakes and inescapable calamities happen. Therefore, it’s important to anticipate a crisis and take precautionary measures.
But don’t be so hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. Mistakes that can cost us our career, family, loved ones, friendships and sometimes our reputation. Life happens. Mistakes happen. Like Simone Elkeles says “Makin' mistakes ain't a crime, you know. What's the use of having a reputation if you can't ruin it every now and then?”
So build that reputation my friend, but when you fall, be kind to yourself. You can always pick yourself up, dust it off, and try again.
* Reference: Variety.com