Safeguarding Integrity

Dealing with criticism is not an easy thing. But if it sincere, fair and done with an attempt to help rather than simply put down, then it's not so bad. Otherwise, being maliciously criticisized or attacked is never easy to swallow. But as tough as dealing with this sort of thing might be, contending with charges that are false is another. Recently, I received a call for advice from a representative of a national service agency I will not identify that was attacked via emails to persons throughout the organization. From persons unknown, the emails charged the organization with improper use of funds and accused a number of its leaders with treating their employees unfairly. As this situation is still unfolding, I cannot say how it will ultimately play out. But what I do know thus far is the charges in the email are mean-spirited and, more importantly, not true.

The question the organization had for me is: what should they do?. How should they react to these emails? Would it be best to simply ignore them? My advice to the group and to any organization that is maligned - falsely or not - is that things of this nature should rarely be ignored or taken lightly. Take charge. Be proactive. Contact the press and let them know what is going on. Let them ask questions and, if they so choose, write their stories. If you have nothing to hide, then do not act like you do. Compile all the documentation you can to refute the charges and then openly invite the anonymous bomb throwers to step forward, reveal themselves and play an active, constructive role in helping right the wrongs they claim exists. Transparency is the key.

As I write this, the organization is still mulling over what to do. To my knowledge, they have never been subjected to this kind of broadside before, so I understand their need to take a deep breath before making any kind of decisions on what to do. As they make their decisions, the leaders of this organization should remember they are not deciding just for themselves, but also for the people who work for them and for the thousands of needy people they strive to serve each year. One of the few things each of us carry with us as we move into each new day is our integrity. Without it, we are mere leaves in a windstorm. None of us, including this organization, should allow ourselves to be in that position. By communicating openly, honestly and with conviction, we can not only safeguard our integrity, but also make it stronger.