Playing Nice

Getting along is not always easy to do. Making an extra effort to keep connections  positive with others is even a greater challenge. Yet that is the job of a professional communicator, at least ideally. More and more, unfortunately, we see spokespersons whose job seems to be attack dogs or hecklers. They put forth their talking points but in a way that is cutting, antagonizing or, at times, downright mean. Such a tact runs counter to what should be the ongoing goal of any professional communicator: bridge building. Instead, in today's climate of constant alienation, we see a good deal of bridge burning going on.

Let me give an example. Recently, a spokesperson for President Trump gave an interview in which she misspoke about the cite of a mass shooting in the U.S. A number of people quickly pointed out the error. One of them was Chelsea Clinton, daughter of Trump's opponent in the recent presidential election. Kellyanne Conway, the Trump spokesperson, immediately fired back by saying, "I misspoke but you lost the election." How does this help bring people together? The answer, of course, is it does not. Instead, it's tone only reinforces the anger currently being felt by both sides of the divide.

In fairness to Conway, my guess is she was doing her job in a way outlined by her boss. In such a climate, it is no wonder people of differing political persuasions continue to be unwilling to reach out to each other. Yet no one of any of any rank or with any clout seems to be willing or capable of doing that. Conway could have taken the high road but did not. She is not alone. Folks on the "other side" do not seem to be all that different either. We are all losing because of this. I am not saying people can't and even shouldn't disagree. But the trick is to do it without being so disagreeable. Professional communicators especially need to be doing than they are.