The Creative Alliance, Strategic Marketing, Interactive, Public Relations

Speaking Truth to Power

It’s natural in both professional and personal settings to seek approval, to “make nice,” to prefer consensus over conflict. And yet I’ve noticed that as a marketing firm, when we take a risk and are honest with clients about our convictions, it inevitably has a positive outcome. Sometimes that means making a good relationship stronger; other times, it serves to bring to a close a relationship that, for whatever reasons, probably wasn’t going to be productive anyway.

Ultimately, I believe that business people appreciate some refreshing honesty in our politically correct culture. Standing for something, especially when folks realize we have their best interests in mind, can be a refreshing bit of honesty for our clients. Likewise, when I receive honest feedback—even a critique—it is certainly humbling, but gratefully received. What do you think about speaking truth to power?