The conclusions and hardened beliefs about us may not be accurate yet we may be contributing to the painful words being communicated about us. A reputation is a reputation. We can positively address and successfully respond to it.

Two quick, concise points that leaders like you can make to benefit your organization and yourself in difficult, challenging, stressful times.

Understanding the necessity and value of ethical mitigation willingness and practice goes a long ways towards determining: how people perceive us, the level of trust we are granted, what our reputation becomes and subsequently, the health of our personal and professional relationships.

Our ambition, actions, impulses and habits can result in us flying too close to the sun. The end will not be pretty. Here's what the Icarus Syndrome is why it's important to learn and understand before it's too late.

It's reckless, misplaced trust and a risk management failing to grant power to certain people or increase their power. They aren't able and willing to responsibly apply it. Test for competency of character, monitor it and correct errors immediately instead of supporting and enabling them.

Not everyone can bring themselves to say, especially to others, about their negative, workplace-and-business reputation:

“I have a rep (reputation). Did I earn it? Yeah, I did."

Let's talk about it.

False accusations of sexual crimes do happen. It's a dirty secret. Anger and revenge are often two drivers to badly harm an unsuspecting person and do great damage on multiple fronts. That's the intent. Rarely do people overcome the punishments. Sometimes, they sort of do.

There are situations in life — personal and professional — where we are not going to fully comprehend all important factors, notice risks and opportunities or see the smartest way forward. Well-researched and skillfully analyzed professional opinion can protect you in these times.

The trust, relationship health and reputation of a corporation, its leaders and stakeholders isn’t protected or improved by legal maneuvering to avoid doing the “right” thing ethically and morally.

Why the dialogue approach will help you far more than the discussion mindset when communicating, especially in high-stakes interactions.