Online Public Relations Thoughts

The president of the University of South Carolina has resigned after plagiarizing a quote from a general's speech.  He attributes his error to an oversight.  If so, it is one more example of why accuracy is important in everything one does.  The former president, Bob Caslen, has wrecked his reputation for claiming less than 100 words as his own.  One wonders why a leader can be so inattentive.  Maybe he was in a hurry.  Maybe he forgot he had appropriated the quote.  It makes no difference.  He has compromised his integrity.  It is a lesson for other leaders to learn.  Accuracy is the first rule in communications.  It is the first rule in public relations as well.