What Tiger Woods Can Teach Bloggers

28 | Posted In Life & Mindset by David

Trust.

It is everything in business. It can take a while to build it, but you can ruin it in minutes if you are a big enough idiot.

Tiger Woods is just such an idiot. He is a gifted athlete and a man (I thought) worthy of respect. He had it all, but most of all he had the respect of his fans. And he lost it all. Sure, there are those who say it is his personal business and nobody should talk about it. Whatever… it doesn’t alleviate the fact that he’s an idiot.

Tiger Woods had trust. Lots of trust. He had a beautiful family. He had sponsors and people lining up to do business with him. He has 2 children. And what does he do? Screw it all up because he can’t keep willy in his pants. At this juncture, it looks as if he was cheating on his wife with multiple women, and all while having kids. Cheating on your wife is disreputable enough, but when kids are in the picture, that’s REALLY bad. As a family man myself, I find that just lowest of the low.

But, this post isn’t about Tiger Woods. His business doesn’t concern me. However, there is a lesson in it – a lesson for all businesses. I am going to address blogging specifically, however.

Trust is an important currency. It takes a while to build, but you can lose it all quickly if you’re an idiot.

Make sure that everything you say on your blog or to your mailing list is truthful. Never lie. Never endorse something that you do not fully beleive is worthy of your endorsement. Because, you know what? Eventually, it will come back to haunt you.

Be authentic on your blog and out in social media. Be truthful. If you are a straight-shooter, then that trust becomes part of your brand. It is valuable. Once you have it, don’t ruin it.

As an opinion leader in your market (as is easy to become with skillful blogging), your word is your value. Don’t squander it.

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  • http://www.johnpaulaguiar.com John Paul

    Other lesson is you are never to big, to important, to powerful to not keep you eyes on your brand, your reputation.

    This dude has just failed big, and it will keep getting worse before it gets any better.

    Other idot that has ruined his career, Chris Brown, he is done young woman buy your albums and you get caught beating your girl? COMPLETE Fail..

  • justinesmith

    Hey David,

    It's so true. It only takes one slip and that's it, your nobody anymore. Great post, good reminder for those who need it.

    P.S. Found your blog not long ago, great posts, I love your writing style and topics!

    ~Justine

  • http://nathanhangen.com/blog Nathan Hangen

    He really is an idiot…I don't know what he was thinking. 1 girl is bad, but 11 (and counting?), that's a problem.

  • Werner

    This is so true.

    A good friend was a Fire Lieutenant and the ‘George Bailey’ of his town. He had a deeply rich family life with a wonderful wife, and two children. He had deep roots in the community. Everyone in town knew, trusted, admired and respected him.

    A year ago he told me his reputation is everything and the reason he is so successful in so many areas of his life. Two weeks later it came out he was having a fling with a girl, just out of high school, in one of his training classes.

    He threw it all away. He lost his job and the he lost the trust, respect and admiration of everyone – including me. His reputation is mud. Because of all this, his growing side business all but evaporated. He’s still married, but the relationship is a mere shell of what it was.

    Your reputation in life – as well as business – IS everything…

  • http://www.bulletproofblog.com/ Dallas Lawrence

    Tiger Woods’ ordeal over the past couple weeks reminds me of the importance of defining your own message in today’s digital age. When a crisis or scandal of such a juicy nature embroils a celebrity, the glare of the media spotlight will surround them whether they choose to embrace it, and failure to face the storm provides fertile ground for rumors and innuendo. I wrote more about how Tiger should have addressed the media clearly and transparently on Bulletproof Blog: http://www.bulletproofblog.com/2009/12/08/social-media-versus-the-tiger/

  • http://www.bulletproofblog.com/ Dallas Lawrence

    Tiger Woods’ ordeal over the past couple weeks reminds me of the importance of defining your own message in today’s digital age. When a crisis or scandal of such a juicy nature embroils a celebrity, the glare of the media spotlight will surround them whether they choose to embrace it, and failure to face the storm provides fertile ground for rumors and innuendo. I wrote more about how Tiger should have addressed the media clearly and transparently on Bulletproof Blog: http://www.bulletproofblog.com/2009/12/08/social-media-versus-the-tiger/

  • msfreeman

    Trust is key in business and so is remorse. I think Tiger will bounce back just fine.

    I remember when Frank Gifford and Bill Clinton cheated on their wives. Oh and there was that preacher guy and……

    I’m not sure why, but the media and others are acting as though Tiger Woods is the first and only man that has ever cheated on his wife. The media and their buffoonery just cracks me up…they look like more the idiot than Tiger does.

  • http://www.words4writing.com/ Sheila Cragg

    Thanks for having the courage to tell it like it is about Tiger Woods. By the way since Bill Clinton and Frank Gifford lost their reputations and the public's respect they have not bounced back. Their credibility is tarnished by their poor choices and the public's skepticism. Who can trust what they say? Bill Clinton could have a powerful influence today if he hadn't committed adultery and made such a fool of himself.

  • http://ReverseCellPhones.org/ Steve

    I think some of the woman are looking to get paid more than telling the truth. But he seems to have messed around a little. It will all blow over in a year or two.

  • http://twitter.com/RJWeiss RJ Weiss

    I'm wondering the same exact thing. It's not like he is the first to do something like this.

    I think it will take a few years at least. Going to be interesting to see the reactions he gets from the women. He was probably the only reason a lot of women were watching golf.

  • http://davidrisley.com David Risley

    On the media, I agree. Media goes for what sells, though. There are certainly a lot more relevant and important matters the media should be talking about than Tiger Woods (like the health care debate).

  • http://www.beginnerblogger.com/ Sarge

    It’s funny that isn’t it: that it can take so long – months, years to build a reputation and trust with people, yet it can be crushed within seconds. Why is this? What does this say about society? Why can’t we build a reputation and trust as quickly as we can lose it?

    We are in an age where you can’t afford to lie, cheat and steal. If you do you’ll be caught out. The more reputation and trust you have the more you are at risk if you do something like this.

    While I still respect what Tiger has done on the field his image as the good guy pro-golfer has been lost forever.

    Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

  • http://www.beginnerblogger.com/ Sarge

    It’s funny that isn’t it: that it can take so long – months, years to build a reputation and trust with people, yet it can be crushed within seconds. Why is this? What does this say about society? Why can’t we build a reputation and trust as quickly as we can lose it?

    We are in an age where you can’t afford to lie, cheat and steal. If you do you’ll be caught out. The more reputation and trust you have the more you are at risk if you do something like this.

    While I still respect what Tiger has done on the field his image as the good guy pro-golfer has been lost forever.

    Sarge | BeginnerBlogger.com

  • http://say-web.com/ Say-Web

    I am not going into details on what happened, but perhaps consider the possibility that you judge people too fast.

  • http://lifestyledesignforyou.com Gordie

    I have to agree with you up to a point.

    I think it's unhelpful to rank mistakes and bad behavior by saying it's the lowest of the low. He mucked up, but at the end of the day he will be remembered for the great golfer that he is.

    Also, let's remember that so many guys cheat on their women and just aren't found out, so they're not judged. I'm so surprised how “normal” it is for men from different cultures to have women on the side as the norm.

    Are we saying our culture is better than theirs? Where do we draw the line at what is write and wrong.

    We also don't know if his wife was a good wife to him or not either.

    However, unfortunately the kids will be hit the hardest by this. They are totally innocent in all this.

    One more thing, if the women who knew that that they were seducing a married man and then go and announce it for publicity and money. Aren't they also just as bad?

  • jonathanwg

    Hah. TRUST is the new currency for sure David.

    You can't copy it, steal it, counterfeit it, or fake it – well not for long anyway.

    Jonathan

  • jonathanwg

    It sure is important to BE the brand you project. Tiger must have been displaying quite a big fake facade all this time – but in the end it all comes apart, or at best is a huge strain to maintain.

    Jonathan

  • http://banditas-blog.com/ valerie mosso

    I so appreciate you David …. I sense a strong ethical value..that seasons your posts with a wisdom I for one, appreciate.
    Best Regards,
    Valerie Mosso

  • http://davidrisley.com David Risley

    I find that as making excuses. Saying others did it isn't an excuse. Trying to stay away from judging somebody who does that only perpetuates the myth in this society that this kind of thing is OK.

    Sure, Tiger isn't the first. But, the fact that society writes off stuff like this says more about society than anything else. In my view, the facts are simple. He has 2 kids. He chose a quick dance in the sack over his children and his wife. I'll be the first in line to, yes, judge him by saying that is wrong.

  • http://davidrisley.com David Risley

    Thanks, Valerie.

  • http://davidrisley.com David Risley

    Not for his family, it won't.

  • http://www.steps4successtoday.com Jomo

    Totally agree David. Great post dude!!

  • http://lifestyledesignforyou.com Gordie

    So, I take it, you disagree with Steve Pavlina's move to polygamy?

  • http://www.katawonga.com/blog Kizito Katawonga

    I agree completely with you David. Just because society wishes to ignore his infidelity because of his golfing career and endorsements, doesn't make it right. And tho the world at large might indeed only remember Tiger for his game, the people that matter the most-his family will remember the pain,humiliation and disappointments as a result of his actions. Marriage should remain a sacred commitment that all should honor highly.

  • stephanieslocum

    this post sure will generate traffic to your site.
    i just regret some parts where you seemed to deliver a sermon. but hey, it's just me and my honest opinion. :-)

  • somebodysomebody

    Tiger is as victim of slow news days as he is of stupidity. Over time he will be back to where he was before the incident. People have short memories and I give it a year for him to make his “comeback”.

  • http://www.ouidavincent.com/ Ouida Vincent

    You are so right. I had this illustrated for me around a property that I bought for rental purposes. The property was purchased as a short sale and needed plenty of work, it also had to be insured. My insurance agent usually did not handle such properties, but decided to take it on because I had been such a good customer and had proven myself reliable doing what I say I am going to do.

  • http://www.ouidavincent.com/ Ouida Vincent

    You are so right. I had this illustrated for me around a property that I bought for rental purposes. The property was purchased as a short sale and needed plenty of work, it also had to be insured. My insurance agent usually did not handle such properties, but decided to take it on because I had been such a good customer and had proven myself reliable doing what I say I am going to do.