Wed, December 02, 2009 - 3:39:45

Tiger:  Tell the Truth!

If you think your smallest actions can’t have an enormous impact on your life, you might want to ask Tiger Woods what he thinks. 

In the days following the fender bender that was first reported as a major car crash, media attention has swarmed around him… and subsequently unearthed some unsavory rumors about golf’s golden boy.  Since the incident, Woods has remained relatively quiet, eschewing reporters and choosing instead to issue several press releases on his website. But, rather than helping to quash the flames, Tiger’s indirect approach may actually be adding fuel to the fire.  So, Tiger, if you’re looking for a new strategy, we’d like to offer this simple NICE advice: tell the truth.

While Tiger today admitted to “transgressions” in his personal life, by remaining vague, he may be doing more harm than good.  In fact, we think Woods could actually benefit by looking to one unlikely source for guidance on the matter, David Letterman.

Whether you condone his actions or not, David Letterman’s on-air admission of infidelity was a brilliant move and helped to end the controversy surrounding his personal life before it began.  Rather than side stepping the issue, Letterman took his “transgressions” head-on, looked into the camera, and matter-of-factly told the truth while millions of his fans watched.

Although the situations that brought about the unfortunate revelations regarding both public figures’ personal lives were markedly different (Letterman was the alleged victim of attempted extortion while Woods simply had a car accident that led to increased tabloid scrutiny), the simple solution of telling the truth could have worked to both of their advantages when it comes to public opinion. 

Why?  Because when you resist the urge to cover up the truth and candidly admit to wrongdoing, you earn people’s trust and regain control, but by not telling the simple truth right away, Woods allowed people to believe that he was not only unfaithful but duplicitous as well.  And, perhaps more importantly in this situation, when you own up to all the “dirt” you’ve done, you take away the public appetite for more.

Posted by Linda and Robin