Online Public Relations Thoughts

Critics are saying Governor Cuomo of New York was "tone-deaf" in his apology for sexual harassment charges against him by a number of women. They also charge that he doesn't understand or ignored the power dynamics between a superior and subordinate.  That is, a leader wasn't acting like a leader with respect for the office he holds.  Cuomo said he was bantering with his subordinates and meant nothing of a serious nature.  His juniors didn't take it that way, and he should have realized that.  Leaders carry authority in their relationships to employees.  They need to understand they can no longer carry on as they might have done when they were lower in rank.  When they do, they precipitate PR crises like the one the governor is embroiled in now.  It is too early to know whether the sexual harassment charges will destroy Cuomo's career and legacy, but he brought his problems on himself.