Stick to the Truth

Update. In the previous blog entry, I called for Hope Hicks, communication director of the Trump administration, to step down following her admission that she has publicly lied on behalf of the President. For a professional communicator to reveal that she does not tell the truth, then any chance of such a person carrying on with even a shred of credibility is lost. Gone. As in never coming back. I am happy to report that shortly after my entry, Hicks handed in her resignation. A specific date as to when she leaves her position has not been announced, but she and The White House did indicate it would be soon. Make no mistake, this is a very good thing.

For the leader of our nation to function with any degree of effectiveness, they must be credible. When they speak, they must be viewed as telling the truth. Any more, the Trump team, including Trump himself, has very little credibility left. Hicks' admission reaffirmed that. Her resignation is the best thing she could have done for herself, her boss, and the country. Maybe on a personal level, she is a good person. On a professional level, however, her lack of integrity is appalling. I have no doubt it is in large part due to the company she has kept while on the job. But that is in no way an excuse. A person of professional integrity would have quit the moment she was first directed to lie.

Serving as a spokesperson is never without challenge. One needs to be articulate, quick on their feet, able to contend with the glare of the media spotlight, keep their cool, and be well informed. Together, all that makes the position quite complex. At the same time, all that complexity is kept in-place if one sticks to telling the truth. So long as they do not lie or seek to mislead, then the job they do will be acceptable. Being a teller of the truth serves as a balance to the many layers of the spokesmanship position. The performance of Hicks will hopefully serve as a case study for all current and future spokespersons. It is not a job for liars.