Tightrope Walk

Never let it be said media spokespeople have it easy. Their job is carried out in public. How well they do their job is constantly under the microscope. This is why those men and women who do this for a living must do their utmost to be beyond reproach. A classic challenge they face revolves around what, on the surface, may appear to be a simple matter: to whom and/or what are they loyal. Are they loyal to their client or to the truth? One may assume they should do all they can to defend or speak well of the one who signs their pay check. But in doing that, what happens if that runs counter to the truth?

Should that public spokesperson lie? Should they choose being supportive of their boss over being truthful with the public and media? To some, this can be a tough choice, particularly when their boss demands loyalty above all else and, on top of that, pays well. Currently, we are watching this dilemma play out in the form of the communication professionals working for President Trump. To them, it seems they are made their choice - loyalty to Trump. Recently, his chief communication person - Hope Hicks - confessed that tells "little white lies" on behalf of her boss. In other words, to her, truth or being honest with the public is less important than making her boss look good.

Yes, as employees, loyalty to one's boss is important. At the same time, particularly when it comes to public service, truth is vital. In the pecking order, it must come first even if it means risking employment. For a public spokesperson to be effective, they must be credible. They must have the confidence of those to whom they communicate. In disclosing what she does, Hicks has said that she cannot always be believed. Not only has she now compromised her own professional standing, but she has done a great disservice to the person to whom she is supposed to be loyal. She and her team represent Trump. Their dishonesty is also his. They must get off that tightrope.