3 ms·

> last-ditch effort to get ahead of the shit storm This raises an interesting question. If you know a shit storm is coming is it more advantageous to do: a) G

by gist 9y ago

> last-ditch effort to get ahead of the shit storm This raises an interesting question. If you know a shit storm is coming is it more advantageous to do: a) Get ahead of the storm (as you say) or b) Wait until it hits and then apologize profusely and say and do all the right things? Seat of the pants I say 'b' is better. First under the 'better to be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt' (there is a chance the storm won't hit) and second because most people will think you came out upfront because of the obvious reason of 'get head of the storm' and so it won't mean anything anyway.

mikestew 9y ago
For scenario "a", here's how a person such as myself might react as one who doesn't pay much attention to rumor mills (er, sorry, "entertainment news"): "huh? Boy, that came out of left field." Two days later: "oh, that's why they were apologizing seemingly unprompted. I do believe my cynicism increased about 0.4%." It is highly unlikely that I will be convinced that the apology was sincere. Option "b": do it right, and I might believe you. Don't hide behind "I apologize if anyone was offended", at least try to sound sincere. "In these recent days it has come to light that I'm a scum bag. I'm sorry. Now, some will say that I'm only sorry that I got caught. Those people would have been absolutely correct two days ago. But as I spent the last 48 hours reflecting on the the charges brought against me, for the first time I realize the genuine pain that I have caused...yada, yada, yada." Shed a tear, say it in the right tone of voice, you might pull it off. And, as you mention, you might not ever need deploy option b if you're lucky.
- gist 9y ago
  > Now, some will say that I'm only sorry that I got caught. One thing though as someone who gets paid a great deal to negotiate for others I think that would be a mistake. Reason is you don't negotiate for the other person. Hard to explain but that is how that strikes me. Very possible there are people that won't think that. And now you are putting the idea into their head when they hadn't thought of it. [1] And those that thought of it won't care (is my guess). [1] I am reminded of when I was younger and was looking at a house on a main street. The real estate agent said to me (and my fiance at the time) 'and you know street is no big deal there is a big yard in the back so you don't have to worry about your kids playing in the front and the traffic!!'. Well you know we hadn't even thought about that at all at that point!

by gist 9y ago

mikestew 9y ago

For scenario "a", here's how a person such as myself might react as one who doesn't pay much attention to rumor mills (er, sorry, "entertainment news"): "huh? Boy, that came out of left field." Two days later: "oh, that's why they were apologizing seemingly unprompted. I do believe my cynicism increased about 0.4%." It is highly unlikely that I will be convinced that the apology was sincere. Option "b": do it right, and I might believe you. Don't hide behind "I apologize if anyone was offended", at least try to sound sincere. "In these recent days it has come to light that I'm a scum bag. I'm sorry. Now, some will say that I'm only sorry that I got caught. Those people would have been absolutely correct two days ago. But as I spent the last 48 hours reflecting on the the charges brought against me, for the first time I realize the genuine pain that I have caused...yada, yada, yada." Shed a tear, say it in the right tone of voice, you might pull it off. And, as you mention, you might not ever need deploy option b if you're lucky.

gist 9y ago
> Now, some will say that I'm only sorry that I got caught. One thing though as someone who gets paid a great deal to negotiate for others I think that would be a mistake. Reason is you don't negotiate for the other person. Hard to explain but that is how that strikes me. Very possible there are people that won't think that. And now you are putting the idea into their head when they hadn't thought of it. [1] And those that thought of it won't care (is my guess). [1] I am reminded of when I was younger and was looking at a house on a main street. The real estate agent said to me (and my fiance at the time) 'and you know street is no big deal there is a big yard in the back so you don't have to worry about your kids playing in the front and the traffic!!'. Well you know we hadn't even thought about that at all at that point!