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The Executive Presence Blog:

Tips for Making a Successful Career Comeback

How to Recapture Professional Success Following a Career Setback

1. Speak Up & Speak Out

Right now he's letting others set the agenda as evidenced by the many news articles written about him and his digressions, writings, thinking, probable state of mind, possible career trajectory etc. This is one instance where silence is not golden. 

Not to be tongue-in-cheek, but I've written about this before in Executive Presence:

"In a crisis situation, many leaders and executives make the mistake of battening the hatches and hunkering down, out of sight. You should go out of your way to be available to both the media and any stakeholders involved in the situation. Refusing to speak to the media or communicate openly with customers or stakeholders can escalate the initial crisis into a secondary crisis. Conversely, being open and honest with the public can often defuse a crisis. Human curiosity is a powerful thing. Sometimes just answering questions candidly can turn a scandal into a nonstory."

Lehrer needs to influence the agenda and give his side of the story, if only to provide a human counter-story to the many narratives about him out there. If it resonates, people can show empathy; that can’t happen if you don’t give them the chance to feel empathy.

 

  • Harrison Monarth

    New York Times bestselling business author Harrison Monarth is founder of GuruMaker, a global communications consulting firm that coaches Fortune 500 executives, politicians, and other high-level professionals in crafting and presenting … Read more...