The Passion Of Mel Gibson – And Your Business

By Terry L. Brock

Recently we saw the news item of how Mel Gibson, the successful Hollywood actor, was arrested for drunk driving. This alone is not good (or, sadly unusual for celebrities). However, what has created a hailstorm in the media and a PR debacle for Mel Gibson is the alleged ethnic and racial slurs made by the actor against Jews during his arrest.

I won’t even comment on how despicable it is for someone to make racial slurs and how contemptible it is for someone in the public light to disparage those of a different race or ethnicity. Most reasonable people today find such behavior deplorable and rightly so. However, I find it interesting that the person who produced a movie about “The Passion of Christ” and claims to be a Christian would harbor such feelings towards other human beings.

OK, so I wasn’t there when Mr. Gibson was arrested and don’t know exactly what he said. From all indications it seems that the Los Angeles Police Department handled the matter professionally and fully in the scope of the law. Yet, I have to step back and wonder what would have prompted Mr. Gibson to feel he needed to engage in the whole tirade he initiated. I’m sure today he wishes he had stayed home and watched a movie rather than getting out and driving that evening.

First, driving under the influence is irresponsible and even criminal. This is serious stuff to get behind the wheel after being “too well served.” Hey, I enjoy an adult beverage from time and time and even enjoy being “too well served” myself occasionally. However, I make sure to not get behind the wheel in those cases where the beverages flowed a bit too much. This is only reasonable. Why didn’t Mel Gibson just get a taxi or call a friend for a ride home?

Then to utter what he did, while under the influence, indicates something deeper about him---and has ramifications for you and me in running our businesses. I love going to Japan where they enjoy sake among other adult beverages The Japanese often want to see potential business partners being “too well served” to find out the real substance of a person. Somehow when inhibitions are let down, small traits about a person emerge that would otherwise remain comfortably hidden behind a veneer of professionalism.

It has long been said that when someone is under pressure their true nature emerges. Robert Ringer said years ago that you can tell a lot about someone when they owe you money. Do they wait till the last minute or delay and delay? I think you can also find out a lot about a person’s character in the way they treat the wait staff at a restaurant.

When someone is under pressure often you find out what their true nature is. Do they blame others (a common trait in today’s “victim-mentality” world) for what is happening? Do they admit they made a mistake and make restitution where possible to rectify the situation (doing the right thing)? A quick admission of wrong and equally rapid attempts to compensate for the wrong mean a lot and also show the character of a person who, like all of us, messes up from time to time. It is not so much a problem to make the mistake. The bigger concern is how it is handled and why it happened in the first place

Mel Gibson has done an admirable job of apologizing and from all accounts his reactions are sincere. I admire that in the man. He is taking further steps to redeem himself, and this is commendable.

However, words, once spoken are out there forever. In the age of the Internet, we know the damage a hastily-conceived e-mail reply can create. Often it is best to wait a while before hitting that “Send” button. Perhaps it is wise often to save the message as a document and send later after more calm reflection and contemplation.

So how does this reflect on your business? Plenty. In an age of instant communication, blogging, podcasts and an all-knowing public, you have to be very careful of the words you speak. These come from attitudes you harbor. The old “We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it” mentality is extremely dangerous. You better plan for how you’ll handle various situations in advance. Part of that planning is to ensure that you don’t put yourself in a situation where you’re likely to cause harm (order the taxi instead of driving after being “too well served”). Have someone with you to help out if you say something that would not be appropriate.

But, at the core, why not examine your innermost thoughts and attitudes about others? Perhaps there is some latent ill-will or feelings towards another that could cause harm. How we react in a crisis springs from the preparation we undertake way before the event occurs.

I wish Mr. Gibson the best in this situation. I’ve enjoyed many of his films before and plan to enjoy more in the future. Even better, perhaps his experience will help others to be more careful about certain kinds of actions and words.

For your company, it is not only wise from a legal point of view but from a marketing point of view to make it clear you do not tolerate racial or ethnic slurs. This doesn’t make sense in marketing alone as you can alienate potential customers. Always striving to find the best in people is not only a good principle for living but it makes good business and marketing sense.

As Harvey Mackay has told us, “Little things mean a lot? Not true. Little things mean everything.” The little things can make or break you. One too many drinks can ruin a good reputation. Be careful not only of drinking and driving but drinking and talking---too much!


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Terry Brock is a marketing coach who helps business owners market more effectively leveraging technology. He shows busy professionals how to squeeze more out of their busy days using the right rules and tools. He can be reached at 407-363-0505, by e-mail at terry@terrybrock.com or through his website at www.terrybrock.com.

Copyright © 2006, Terry Brock, All Rights Reserved Internationally. No portion may be reprinted or used in any way without prior written permission.