Recognition and Responsibility

In the field of communication there are a lot more opportunities to receive recognition of some sort than perhaps one realizes. Oh, I am not talking about recognition in big ways such as receiving a trophy, a cash prize, or being given even a special dinner with co-workers and colleagues; but in more subtle ways such as having a press release you composed being picked up by a newspaper or talked about on a radio station, being acknowledged by another person, or having groups of people respond to one of your communiques. These all bring good feelings as they re-enforce the effectiveness of your outreach efforts.

Recently, I was fortunate enough to be recognized by communication students in terms of what I call my so-called teaching abilities. The honor was a surprise and is very important to me. At the same time, it also drove home the realization that with the spotlight comes an expectation that one needs to strive to be worthy of that focus. People who work in communication flirt with the spotlight most every day because their efforts are outward-driven or extroverted. In some cases, there is even a "Hey everyone, look at me!" quality that is not nearly as prominent in other professions. What communicators do involves seeking to gain and hold the attention of others. Consequently, to the unsuspecting recipient of those efforts, often times separating the actual communication action from the person behind it becomes very difficult. The line, in a sense, is blurry.

This spotlight needs to be respected. Whether one is standing in front a room full of students, writing a blog, composing an email that will be given a wide distributed or giving a speech, the communication itself needs to be as honorable and respectful as possible. This does not mean everything one does has to be perfect or even successful, but it must be values-driven, ethical and in good-faith. Over the years, I have heard various communicators say they prefer standing behind a camera rather than in front of one as if doing so keeps them behind-the-scenes or out of the spotlight. The realty, however, is that any attempt to connect with another person or public puts you directly in the spotlight even though you may not be the one whose face or voice fills the air waves. Recognition comes with the profession. It also carries with it unwavering responsibility that cannot and should not be shirked or taken lightly.