Cheezhead Recruiting News and Opinion

At the height of controversy over Passion of the Christ in 2004, director Mel Gibson told Diane Sawyer that he was not an anti-semite.

Answering those who charge that the film is anti-Semitic [Gibson] said he is not an anti-Semite, and that anti-Semitism is “un-Christian” and a sin that “goes against the tenets of my faith.”

Fast forward to July 2006.

According to the report, in addition to threatening the arresting deputy and trying to escape, Gibson said, “The Jews are responsible for all the wars in the world,” and asked the officer, James Mee, “Are you a Jew?”

Can The Road Warrior survive this brutal setback? Time will tell. People tend to be pretty forgiving when apologies are part of the equation, although I don’t see Gibson directing Fiddler on the Roof anytime soon.

I’m not sure the same holds true for business. Imagine if Google, whose mantra is “Don’t be evil,” all of a sudden starting giving money to North Korea or Iran. A little extreme, I know. So how about if Google started selling your personal data to Amazon or some other retailer? I think it’s safe to say the “not evil” label would be removed pretty quickly.

Are you truthful in your business?

It’s a sad reality that people perceive business as untrustworthy. Marketers like myself, haven’t helped much, unfortunately. If you want to stand out, be honest. It’s certainly the road less traveled.

For example, if you don’t have all the jobs, don’t claim that you do. If your resume posting process isn’t fast and easy, don’t say so.

It may be too late for Christ director Gibson, but for the rest of us, there is time to repent!

Mel’s mug shot.