Bureaucrats sigh when we walk in the room. My complacent peer rolls his eyes when we talk. We raise the blood pressure of the over-zealous security guy. Even some of the bosses clench their jaws a little harder.
We ask questions.
We express opinion.
We start new initiatives we aren’t directed to.
We cause other people more work.
If you’re doing your job well as a public affairs person, you will have enemies. There will be people you make uncomfortable. There will be naysayers who say you can’t. There will be teammates who hope and assume you will fail.
No problem. It’s part of the job.
I used to be troubled by these people. It used to bring me down when someone stands in our way. Now it only gives me energy. If you’re breaking new ground and challenging the system you won’t make everyone happy, celebrate that.
The cool thing is, some of these “enemies” will become advocates. You may even move some of these folks to action. You may become their example and inspiration.
Know you will have enemies, but look around and determine who they are. Make sure you are being opposed for acceptable reasons. Look in the mirror, determine if it was you who failed to communicate properly and be sure you have the best intentions of the origination in mind.
Here’s a good book about this.
Photo by Staff Sgt. Tony Harp
