“Remember not only to say the right thing in the right place, but far more difficult still, to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.”
― Benjamin Franklin
It is clear during this season of political campaign “reports” that the internet – and the content it preserves – can be much to our benefit – or more often than not, to our demise. With these thoughts fresh in mind, I provide the following as a statement of what is now “obvious,” quoted from a blog that I wrote in early 2011.
In our digital age, we are wise to be conscious that blogs, web-posts, Twitter "tweets," web-site articles, and Facebook posts have a very long shelf-life. It has even been said that digital posts may be functionally permanent.
As a result, we are wise to be careful to "watch our words." Leaders, Board Directors, Managers - one and all - can be caught short by a quick personal posting to a social media site. As many of us have discovered, it is far too easy to write and send something quickly that we may later regret.
Yes, this is obvious; but far too often overlooked. Abraham Lincoln is said to have commented, "It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Lincoln's axiom is even truer today… simply because we have so many forms of digital communication available to us. AND, many internet experts warn us that our digital postings will be available through search engines for many, many years.
We are therefore wise when we exercise great discretion and abundant grace when posting messages on social media. It's all about knowing when to be careful...
I can already count several times since I wrote this over 5 years ago when I wished – dearly wished – I had heeded my own counsel…
Photo Credit: Gilles Lambert