Canadian Government Executive - Volume 24 - Issue 01

32 / Canadian Government Executive // January/February 2018 Communication Private Chats In Public Places B enjamin Franklin wrote those words more than 300 years ago, in the days of horses and print- ing presses. But, even back then, people understood the fragility of a repu- tation and the value of protecting it. Little did they know how communication would evolve between then and now. You see, humans are inherently fallible. But, these days — in this Orwellian “Big Brother” society we live in — one mistake of discussing something very private in public can lead to the end of a reputation, relationship or career. Sometimes it’s de- served. Many times it’s not. “IT TAKES MANY GOOD DEEDS TO BUILD A GOOD REPUTATION, AND ONLY ONE BAD ONE TO LOSE IT.” Conway Fraser