Credibility Lost

Mexico Isn't on Arizona's Border?

By Eric Seidel, CEO

The Media Trainers, LLC

The scene: Milwaukee. The event: a county supervisors' meeting. The issue: that controversial law in Arizona to crack down on illegal immigrants.

Speaking: Peggy West, a county supervisor. She doesn't like the law, but for at least one reason that you might not imagine. You see, Peggy doesn't think Arizona faces any real problems because, she says, Arizona does not share a border with Mexico. That's right, an elected official who oversees public business and public money doesn't know--or didn't when she spoke recently--that Mexico is on Arizona's southern border. Texas, on the other hand...well, she can understand why Texas might have concerns. After all, Texas does border Mexico. Well, she got that part right, but it took another supervisor to step in and correct her geographical blunder. The brief video below has both Peggy's comments and her colleague's correction.

With today's instant access to global communication, credibility is easy to lose.

What If Jim Joyce Hadn’t Apologized?

The Call Heard 'Round the World!

By Eric Seidel, CEO

The Media Trainers®

There’s no question umpire Jim Joyce blew that call at first base. It would’ve been the 27^th consecutive out and a perfect game for Detroit Tiger pitcher Armando Galarraga.

In an unprecedented act of contrition, Joyce called in reporters immediately after the game and once he had seen the video replay. The well respected umpire laid his heart out on the table. He admitted he was wrong and called it the biggest call of his long career. (Click on the video below for his remarks.)

“I missed the damn call,” he confessed. “This is a history call…and I took a perfect game from that kid over there, who worked his a__ over there all night.”

But, the call will stand. Galaragga will not get his perfect game.

Jim Joyce did not have to say anything at any time after that game. Knowing his call was final, he could’ve refused to talk. And if he had, his life would be made miserable everywhere he goes the rest of this baseball season. But Joyce did the right thing. He made a huge, historic mistake, and faced it head-on.

The next day, he was back on the field, this time calling balls and strikes behind home plate. Pitcher Galaragga brought out the Detroit line-up card before the first pitch. Joyce cried. Fans cheered...for both of them. Jim Joyce had been forgiven by the hometown crowd.

The controversy continues, focused on whether to expand video replay reviews to the game; it's not directed at Joyce. He has been rightfully lauded for immediately “manning up.”

How many examples of people can you recall who failed to do what this umpire has done so quickly and sincerely?

Next time you have bad news to confront, remember Jim Joyce. And keep this in mind:

Contrition delayed is forgiveness denied.

You Be the Judge

Steve Wynn

A Message for Washington

By Eric Seidel, CEO

The Media Trainers, LLC

Passionate, angry, fed up…maybe even giving up on the government in DC.

Prominent Las Vegas developer and casino-resort hotel owner and operator Steve Wynn has very strong feelings about what’s going on inside the Capitol Beltway. And it’s not complimentary.

In a recent CNBC interview Wynn demonstrated those feelings quite forcefully.

Watch it (click below) and then you be the judge. Consider the outlet (CNBC) he chose; is it a good choice? Is he reaching relevant potential audiences? Is his argument persuasive? How do you feel about his choice of language and his body language? Finally, while this is a forum more for examining effective message communication, weigh in as well on how you feel about what he says. Add your comments below and check in once in a while to see how others have reacted.