Working with Alex Murdaugh seems to make a very strong case for the concept that who you know matters. And the dangers of not really knowing someone are everywhere in the trial of Murdaugh, a former attorney, accused of a number of crimes – including murder.
We often talk to entrepreneurs and business owners about the importance of knowing who your audience is in marketing – and the need to target what they want and need.
What we don’t talk about often enough, perhaps, is the responsibility of the entrepreneur and business owner to make themselves known to their audience in a real and authentic way – with honesty and integrity.
We’re all too familiar with the owner, CEO, manager or leader of an enterprise presenting themselves as someone they’re not when in the workplace – or on the stage – or even in a ZOOM meeting. And, at the very least, it’s disheartening to learn that a person is not who you thought they were.
In some cases, however, it’s more than disappointing. It’s injurious – even deadly.
Who You Know Matters
Almost everyone who worked with Alex Murdagh has testified that they never knew him. Those who have been partners with him in business, those who worked for him and his family, and those who hung out with the family – have concluded that they never knew the real Alex Murdaugh.
Of course, hanging out with the wrong people can get us into deep trouble. But what about hanging out with the right people who are:
- Lying
- Cheating
- Stealing
- Deceiving
- Threatening
That’s what Alex Murdaugh’s co-workers, close friends and associates and even family members have had to deal with over the past months – and as of just this week – this is the truth they’ve had revealed to them by Murdaugh’s own words of admission in the courtroom.
NOTE: As of the writing of this post, the outcome of the trial is not known.
Who you know matters very much to the people who thought they knew Alex Murdaugh.
Working With The Right People Matters
If you’ve been ‘taken’ by anyone, you may have experienced
– Embarrassment
– Shame
– Loss
It’s not fair. And it should never be acceptable. Yet, it happens every single day to those who are in need of some level of
√ Assistance
√ Guidance
√ Direction
√ Support
√ Solutions
And, it happens because there are too many in positions of leadership who either allow it to happen – or make it happen.
Ask yourself which is worse – turning a blind eye to wrong conduct, or helping to produce it.
Honestly, do you want to be known for doing either one?
As an entrepreneur and business owner, do you know who YOU really are? Because, you can’t represent yourself to your market authentically until you do.
And if you know who you are; what you’re promising better line up with what you know you are capable of producing. You have a responsibility to your market to let them know the REAL you.
Your Market Deserves Clarity About What You Can Do – As Well As What You Cannot.
Don’t offer what you don’t have.
Don’t profess what you can’t produce.
Don’t promise what you can’t deliver.
Don’t exaggerate your level of experience.
Your audience will thank you for being straight with them. In fact, you may be interested to know that it was a colonial entrepreneur, Edwin Sandys, whose proverb we still use today, “Honesty is the best policy.”
No doubt, those working with Alex Murdaugh wish they could have a ‘do-over’. No doubt, Alex Murdaugh wishes he could have a ‘do-over’. And, while legitimate mistakes can and should be forgiven, voluntary choices that cause harm – or death – are in another category.
When the level of damage left in the wake of a wrongful act is too great, a ‘do-over’ is simply not possible and, seldom expected.
Avoid working with those who don’t seem to possess the same level of integrity you expect of yourself.
Take the time to be sure that your organization’s message (and work) are honest representations.
Work hard to ensure positive testimonials from others who have experience with you or your group.
Examine your products or services to see if they qualify to meet the needs of your market, before asking potential customers to commit to anything.
Be All You Can Be. And Be Nothing More and Nothing Less Than Who You Really Are
Because, let’s be honest, as entrepreneurs and business owners, there will always be someone to judge us. So, let’s give everyone else every honest reason to be working with us, instead!