"What happens if it rains?"

It is no fun being the party pooper. While everyone around you is excitingly making plans for the company picnic, it is a real downer being the one who steps into the middle of all that enthusiasm and says something like, "But what happens if it rains?" Comments like often such the energy out of any happy time or, at the least, break the upbeat mood that others are enjoying. At first, people may laugh off such a question because they are so caught up in what is a positive exchange. Then, very much like annoying telephone that won't stop ringing during dinner, you repeat that unwanted question: "What happens if it rains?"     


Often, during times of planning and strategizing, it is the public relations professional providing the questions no one wants to address, debate and even think about. They are the one bringing a dark cloud into the room, thus risking unpleasant stares, hard-feelings or even a few choice comments. Nevertheless, this is part of the public relations professional's job. On the one hand, it is important they do this because if something goes wrong, such as an unexpected rainfall, it is most likely they who will have to face the repercussions. On the other, the public relations worker will in all probability have to defend the organization if a  contingency plan was not formulated.


Make no mistake. Public relations professionals like to yuk it up as much as anyone. They, too, want to be part of upbeat meetings where good, fun ideas are put forth and ultimately set in motion. However, as enjoyable as such planning can be, they require at least one present who is looking at things from a realistic, perhaps glass half-empty lens. Such is the lot of the public relations professional. But the good news is that other professionals recognize the value of such a person and therefore support the fact this colleague has to be a fuddy-duddy from time to time. They are aware that being loyal sometimes means being the one who says things others do not want to hear.