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| Photo: Twitter |
While most attention was placed on the players on the field, L'Oreal was looking to make a splash by signing a relatively obscure Belgian fan to a major modeling contract. The company found 17-year-old Axelle Despiegelaere in the stands, wearing streaky face paint and a horned hat with her nation's colors. The blonde sports fanatic was quickly hired.
That contract is now over, the Cinderella story done and her L'Oreal career short-lived in a one-minute viral video included at the end of this article.
Technically, the contract was "completed," as L'Oreal stated, after people brought to the company's attention a photo Despiegelaere had posted on her Facebook page. In the pic, she is holding a rifle and sitting behind a dead gazelle. The photo's caption: "Hunting is not a matter of life or death. It's much more important that that ... this was about 1 year ago ... ready to hunt Americans today haha."
Despiegelare tried to run damage control, stating that the caption was simply a joke. Her Facebook page no longer exists. But the damage was done. Given the pic, she was a bad match for L'Oreal, which donated $1.2 million in 2012 to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for improved testing of safe chemicals. It is possible that L'Oreal only intended to hire her for the single viral video. Still, the hunting controversy will likely linger with Despiegelaere should she attempt to find modeling work elsewhere.
The key takeaway is that image and reputation are everything in your professional work. A mentor once told me early in my career that, "It takes one second, one decision to ruin your credibility and a much longer time to earn it back." I try to keep that in mind when I work with others, knowing that a single misstep can become known to many. It is also fair to acknowledge that people, by nature, often forget kindness over time but seem to hold grudges when they feel mistreated.
Our decisions are defining and they can set the stage for events far beyond the horizon that we can currently see.
Another sports-related story jumped out at me on this topic. LeBron James announced yesterday that he is returning to the Cleveland Cavaliers ... four years after his ill-fated television program announcing that he would be "taking his talents" to Miami. The move angered basketball fans, led to a comical letter from Dan Gilbert, the Cavs owner, and instantly turned King James into the sport's biggest heel.
I noticed this one passage, however, in a story by Dan Wetzel on James' return to Cleveland.
Miami taught him plenty. Humility was one thing. He slowly allowed the real LeBron to emerge, a likeable, if unworldly star who has never been in trouble, never really done anything all that wrong. He's mostly a homebody, a family man, a guy who wants to be liked. And a hell of a talent.
Indeed, "The Decision," included below, defined James during his four years in South Beach, where he won two championships but not the hearts of basketball fans. During that time, however, he said the right things, matured and kept out of trouble. Slowly and subtly, he began to rehabilitate his image and, with a well thought out and executed story in Sports Illustrated, he characterized his return to Cleveland as a homecoming he know all along would happen.
The first time, James used free agency to tout himself and his talents. This time, he made it about Cleveland, Ohio and the community. Regardless of how the Cavaliers perform, James has done a nice job changing the discourse and likely changing his reputation.
Reputation is everything. Keep that in mind as you deal with others, post on social media and live your life.
