Protect Your Image

I will not take so much as a single thread or sandal thong from what belongs to you. Otherwise you might say, “I am the one who made Abram rich.” Genesis 14:23

You can have the purest motives, but if your actions are misunderstood, you might as well have stolen candy from little children, because perception is what matters.

Image management has gotten a bad rap because spin doctors weave straw into fool’s gold and often try to make us believe what isn’t true, but there’s real value in protecting your image from misinterpretation.

Your organization’s image is a valuable asset. It doesn’t show up on the ledger, and you can’t borrow against its equity, but losing it can do more damage than a fire in your warehouse or a virus in your computer network.

As a leader, you should assign someone the specific job of proactively protecting your company’s image. Don’t wait for rumors to start—by then it’s too late.

However you decide to handle it, remember that image is vital.