Moreover, and to your second point, if your personal opinions don’t reflect what the ‘company stance’ is, you *will* show that – especially on camera. Which brings ,e back tomy original point – even if you have been frank wiht your client on a few message points, you must still get some camera time and work wiht another ‘outside’ professional to make sure that if/when it comes to answering ‘that’ question, you know how to bridge it back to the messag w/o compromising your beliefs.

Weirdos…

Ok, refocusing here. What about personal opinion filters in the workplace as an intern? I’m interning right now and constantly have to knock myself down a little bit because things are happening all around me that I have a comment for. So far, I think I’ve done a pretty good job about only offering my thoughts when someone of merit asks for them, as Jason was saying. Being an intern, I’m not able to get accustomed to how the office runs and operates, what’s ok and what’s not ok, who to steer clear of, etc. Any by the time I do get an idea of all that stuff, internship’s over, time to move along (maybe).

All I can do is go out of my way to soak up as much as possible while keeping my nose out of gossip. I know that no one’s loyalty is to the intern… they’ll squeal on my in a heartbeat if I contribute to bad-mouthing anyone or, heaven forbid, a client.

This brings me to another idea… what about romantic relationships in the office? My PRSSA chapter made a quick “Office Do’s and Don’ts” video based on NBC’s show, The Office, if anyone wants to check it out. There’s bloopers at the end of part 2!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hKNmTDl3kt4

I think somewhere to be cautious, not necesssrially about sharing your opinions, but about being vocally critical, is when our peers are going through crisis. I know thatmy family. friends. and co-workers will often talk critically when they see – say a superintendent scandal in another district – that happens very public and goes all wrong. It is so easy to sit back and play Monday morning quarterback as we watch the news stories and thank the news gods it’s not us this time.

I learned a long time ago that it is best not to say, “Well if I were running their pr depr…” becausw I have no idea what the real story is and usually my peers are doing a darn fine job with the hand they’ve been dealt. I am also smart enough to know that on any given day it will be me in the hot seat and I hope I will get the same courtesy.

@kescovedo

Much of PR is about common sense. If you use that when determining your opinion, your duties as a spokesperson, and representing clients, your opinion should prove nothing but valuable (even if those who make the ultimate decision don’t agree with it).

Anyway, Lauren, to answer your question…Yeah, I think you need to find a way to delicately present your idea. Something like – “That’s an interesting idea. Have you considered x, y or z?”

When we had this discussion at SMCPhilly last night, a couple people said that they have their politics, they share their politics, and if you don’t like their politics, you don’t have to work for or with them, but that’s not going to change their opinion.

You also have to distinguish between a situation where it’s your company, or whether you’re working for a company. It’s a lot easier to be publicly opinionated if you’re only representing yourself. It becomes a bit messier, when you’re representing others, or your company.

Personally, I definitely have a filter on…I think everyone does, to some extent…except maybe Stuart Foster =) My filter is pretty open though as I share most of my opinions on my personal account. When using my company’s accounts, the filter becomes very fine and I don’t let a lot through.

What we came down to in the end of SMC was that it’s a common sense thing. Before you say something, think about it, think about how people might react, and if it’s going to hurt you, think about whether or not it’s worth sharing.

@DavidSpinks