Say It Out Loud First

Just imagine life without dumb mistakes, media retractions and loads of public humiliation. That doesn't mean life has to be boring. But seriously, if people would just say the things they intend to do or write out loud first, life (for them and everyone) would be much easier.

As Exhibit A, I submit the plight of the Big 3 auto execs. Today, they arrived in complete humility on Capitol Hill - asking for $35 billion from the taxpayers, of course - but only after they were forced to drive 500 miles from Detroit to Washington in modest vehicles on very little sleep. Not a fun drive and it "sounds" admirable...but it didn't have to be that way. These execs were forced into economy travel today because they waltzed into Congress weeks ago by flying on three separate $20,000 flights aboard luxury private jets. Questions from lawmakers abound. Public outrage exploded. Corporate humility ensued.

Now, let's imagine if these 3 execs got up in front of a room full of people and stated their proposed means of travel out loud first: "We may be burning through cash like crazy, but I'm going to burn another 20 grand today while I ask every American citizen to prop up my company...with no strings attached."

Sounds insane doesn't it? But that's exactly what these execs did. They forgot Triumphant Rule #1 - If it doesn't sound good out loud, it's probably not a good idea.

And just today, the NFL Players Association filed a grievance against the New York Giants for suspending Plaxico Burress. The same Plaxico Burress who carted an illegal firearm into a crowded Manhattan nite club and accidentally shot himself. Even if the Players Association has a policy of appealing all suspensions, the person who wrote the press release should be fired. Why? Becaue his release said this: "The New York Giants, by suspending Plaxico Burress, have violated the NFL's collective bargaining agreement."

So regardless of the technical assertions involved, here is how the lay person reads that statement:

• The Players Association wants labor agreements that allow players to carry illegal firearms
• The Players Association puts bargaining over the letter of the law
• The Players Association wants to reward selfish millionaire athletes accused of crimes in a bad economy

Doesn't sound good, does it?

Saying it out loud first will save you lots of embarrassment later.