Mass and Velocity

Yesterday was the first lecture of my 21722 Leadership, Coaching and Mentoring subject and it was thought-provoking and enjoyable, although for those who haven't completed 21800 Management and Organisations with Dr. Walter Jarvis it may have been hard going.  A number of ideas and observations will lead to blog entries over the next week or so, but the first one that struck me has to do with public scrutiny of leaders.

This is very readily apparent whether it be of politicians, companies and business people, or sports stars.  But modern communications is making it all the more difficult for leaders to 1) avoid scrutiny, 2) evade being caught mishandling the truth, and 3) avoid being damagingly misquoted or misrepresented.

Mobile phones, social media, and other technologies expand both the audience (mass) and the velocity of communication of a leader's words and behaviour.  Any gaffe is very soon widely known.  Further, the images/sound are digitally recorded and saved in many places, allowing them to be replayed and compared.  Any inconsistencies or errors are easily detected and themselves rapidly and widely communicated.

But this doesn't apply just to a leaders own activity.  A critic's view can also "go viral" particularly if it is sensationalist.  Witness how quickly the resignation note of the Goldman Sachs employee sped around the world.  This happened without any corroboration being supplied (or perhaps even considered).
Consistency and the Truth

This intense scrutiny is therefore very dangerous for a leader if he/she fails to handle it well.  Of course, PR companies are onto this and must be madly seeking the big money that is available to protect reputations through "spin".  But how should a moral leader behave?

I read somewhere some time ago that its much easier to tell the truth than lie.  This is because, if one lies, one must remember what one said if asked again later - it's very hard to lie consistentl.  However, if one is always truthful, one simply repeats the truth.

A leader, then, must always be honest to survive the intensity of public scrutiny in this new age.