After the Sacco storm, the calm.

Never leave yourself saying this.         Photo credit: ColtMonday.com

It’s been a few days since Justine Sacco rocked the communications world with her rather interesting Tweet.  There isn’t any sense in reposting it as it is no longer a story for the world.  It has become an after thought and a memory.  Like most of the high-profile stories that are born in social, it’s life was short.

What remains are the many questions.  I believe Tim Smith described it best as, “Why would anyone commit jobocide.” I love that term.  Aptly put, as well since it did not take long for IAC to release her from her position and issue a statement denouncing the Tweet.

But, let’s be realistic…why did it take that Tweet to put Ms. Sacco’s job in jeopardy?  If anyone had the opportunity to read her stream before the Twitter account was deleted you could smell smoke.

While the world waited for the question, “#HasJustineLandedYet?” to be answered, I honestly help out hope that this was not actually her that made the offending remark. But, deep down, I think I knew after reading the rest of her timeline.

Having been in a position responsible for monitoring accounts of an organizations feeds, I know that sick feeling in your gut you get when you see a comment that doesn’t speak well of the person’s decision-making or their pedigree. I don’t mean the type of comments that question an organizations structure or an honest criticism that has respect and merit built into it.  I mean the hair on the back of your neck stands up and your Spidey senses start tingling kind of remark.

I know I’ve made remarks on official and unofficial channels that have raised the eyebrows of people. I’ve been challenged on them and when I have over-stepped, I’ve pulled back the offending remarks.  Remember, you as the one delivering the remarks may not see the offence, but others may.  I have also stood my ground and held fast to comments that I have made when I was in the right and the best those that challenged me could say was, “We just don’t say that.”  I find that the best question to ask in those instances is, “Why?” Try it. You will really find thought leaders by doing so.

Either way, I have always known that someone else is always watching which is a great form of personal risk management.

Where were the checks and balances with Ms. Sacco? Where was the risk management? Was no one watching what she was saying on her personal account? Probably not…after all, she was the communication and PR boss for her company.  She should have been the safest person you had at the controls. Still, I’m sure someone had to have seen something, somewhere, at some time.

In professional communications, especially for the tax payers, there are always eyes. Not everyone will agree with you.  Not everyone will see things your way. Mature, respectful dialogue can usually sort those problems out when they occur.

But, if you ever add vulgar, rude, disrespectful, inflammatory remarks to your thoughts or opinions…you’ll always lose.

There are still many questions that remain to be answered about the event that Ms. Sacco created and perhaps in time, she will herself present those answers.  Although she has apologized;

“Words cannot express how sorry I am, and how necessary it is for me to apologize to the people of South Africa, who I have offended due to a needless and careless tweet,”

the questions still remains.

Why?

I hope that when and if she does, she will be given an opportunity to do so with respect.  Not what occurred that night when the venom that exists within many people was gave rise in death threats and comments that were worse than the original.

In the future when something like this happens…and it will, be better than the originator. Be greater than the weak-minded or the anonymous. Be proud that you can rise above and be fair while you wait for the response.

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