Wikileaks and Coaching
December 9, 2010
I think one of the qualities that a coach brings to clients is the ability to see an issue from different perspectives. I was thinking about that as I read the continuing saga of Wikileaks.
What you think about the actions of Wikileaks leader Julian Assange depends on your perspective
Hillary Clinton, US Secretary of state, says the release of the confidential cables from State Department files, puts people in danger and harms the nation’s diplomatic efforts.
Many journalists see the release of the State Department cables as a freedom of speech issue, adding that Mrs. Clinton is just trying to deflect attention from the security of the State Department computer system.
Other journalists say it harms their work because the leaks have reduced the trust they built up with national security sources.
Many diplomats, worried about the security of their communication system, say it will make their memos less honest because they fear the information may become public.
World leaders are also split, depending on how they are pictured. Most of the descriptions are not flattering particularly when it comes to the personal peccadilloes portrayed.
Arab leaders, particularly in Saudi Arabia, are embarrassed because they are seen ‘begging’ the United States to do things they can’t admit they want done. (like attacking Iran’s nuclear facilities.)
Iran thinks the memos, all 250,000 pages, are just fabrications.
Many pundits, both in the US and out, say most of the information wasn’t that valuable but at least the papers show that the United States does know what’s really going on it the world, an that’s probably a good thing.
So, is there a ‘coach-able moment’ here? I guess, next time you have a decision to make, be sure to consider as many perspectives as you can. The real truth depends on your perspective.
