I was really disheartened earlier this week. A person in the world on PR–I’ll keep him nameless–seemed like a affable guy. I had attended a presentation of his, and I read his book. His theme was “I’m approachable. Call me. Email me.”
However, that was anything but the case. After he sent me some curt responses to my emails (I assumed he was just busy), I tried to chat with him in person on Monday at an event we both attended. After I introduced myself, he said hi and then immediately walked away and started a conversation with someone else.
The situation reminded me of an instructor I had in college. In class, he made tons of jokes, and he was friendly at a party he hosted at his house. But in office hours, he was a real asshole (an opinion I shared with many of his students).
Whether you’re branding an individual (including yourself) or an organization, it does no good to put lipstick on a pig. Doesn’t the public always find out? I think it’s better to be known as a jerk than a liar.