I should be very, very careful in my interactions with clients. Please remind me. I need to be careful.
I had a conversation today with a board member of one of our client organizations. It was a long, long conversation. I try to be honest in my communications with clients (and everyone else), but there are times when it pays to be "politically astute" instead of "steadfastly honest." Today was one of those days. Unfortunately, my thinking was not tuned to self-preservation but, rather, to "tell it like it is."
By the end of the conversation, I had admitted that I questionned the wisdom of several current policies, that I was disappointed in the ability of board members to leave their personal agendas behind when deliberating in the boardroom, and that I was frankly getting a bit sick of the childishness of certain members.
Regardless of the fact that the board member to whom I spoke is someone I trust, I should not have been quite so open. I would not want the same level of honest conversation to happen between other board members...the ones about whom I believe are less than ethical.
So, let this be a lesson. Don't let being tired, worn out, upset, etc. allow you to let your guard down. Today's lapse may have no repercussions...but it could be catastrophic. If it's the latter, you'll know as I put my shoes and shirts up for auction to pay my bills.
2 comments:
Yeah, it's hard sometimes to stay bland and tactically vague in our professional situations. I sometimes feel like a eunuch in a harem. But there are a lot of folks I deal with whose society I value as much as their fee potential. We'd be mutually repulsed if we became privy to each others' deepest beliefs and passions. Better, maybe, to keep that kryptonite in its lead container against the day we have to use it to save our lives.
I would have a very difficult time in your line of work. I'm not good at "doing the politics thing". Unfortunately, it seems that some people are attracted to boards for the wrong reasons and that creates a great many difficulties for all concerned. I've served on a few boards in my time -- notice the past tense. More recently, I've taken to only working on projects that I can do on my own or with a few friends -- no more involvement with large organizations. I don't envy you -- it must be like walking on eggs most of the time. As Phil says, better keep that kryptonite stowed away.
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