It Can Happen to You

Shortly after the terrorist attacks of 9/11 I was thrust in front of the Pentagon press pool reluctantly giving briefings of what was happening in Afghanistan. When I left my job in 2002 for another assignment I told myself “no more interviews.” That was changed as we went to war in Iraq in 2003.

I have since realized that finding oneself in crisis situations or dealing with the media (sometimes the same thing), now including the ubiquitous social media, is not only becoming more prevalent it is actually the new norm in the post-9/11 world. The data is just too great to ignore.

As I described in earlier posts, I decided I wanted to add value for others as I was aided during my military service. I now consult in this arena of crisis management which includes strategic problem solving and dealing with the media. And for me personally, I am still being called upon for what I advise on.

Case in point, I was recently asked by a producer to give an interview for a Canadian television pilot—North of 49, A Guide to the Rest of Your Life. The show’s title is a play on words given it refers to the geographic reality that most of Canada lies north of the 49th parallel of latitude, the targeted age of the show’s subjects and audience is 50 or over (that captures me), and segments involving the second halves of peoples’ lives, in my case, my new career after being retired from the military. The show is about the 5 W’s—Who, What, Where, When, Why—of transitioning in mid-life that includes health, finance, career changes, and more.

I used all of my experience in agreeing to do this interview including negotiating my participation, describing the limits I would operate within, talk only about what I knew…you know, the stuff I wrote about previously. When it came time for shooting the interview I worked hard to stay in my lane, avoid unnecessary controversy, and describe things I knew rather than opine or deal in conjecture. In other words, I tried not to be a poor subject.

I also noted the show’s producer used significantly less material that what I observed being shot. But the result is a segment called Person of the Week that both the producer and I am happy with. And, as is the reality of the post-9/11 world where social media supplements and sometimes supplants the news cycle and television schedule, this interview is on YouTube.

This really is another object lesson in practicing what is preached because it happened to me (again) and it can happen to you…and someday will.

So the lesson as a question is, are YOU ready?