Cliché

It would be a cliché to write that “she was a woman before her time,” but this is a posting about clichés, so let’s start with that.
Mary Roberts Rinehart was an American writer, who mastered her craft after she and her husband, Dr. Stanley Rinehart, lost everything in the stock market crash of 1903. She was all of 27 that year and produced 45 short stories, nearly one per week. (Stephen King would be proud!) In the years that followed, she became a war correspondent, and eventually, she helped her sons found a publishing house, Farrar and Rinehart, where she served as its director.

In later years, Rinehart suffered from breast cancer and chose to undertake a radical mastectomy. In the mid-1940’s—a time in which breast cancer was not openly discussed—Rinehart agreed to an interview with Ladies’ Home Journal in which she discussed her experience and encouraged women to have regular breast exams.

For the purposes of this posting, Rinehart is oft credited with having coined the phrase, “The butler did it!” Truth be told, she never wrote those exact words. However, in 1930, she authored The Door, in which, you will not be surprised to read, the butler did it!

I was reminded of Rinehart after reading a slew of recent headlines in which, with all apologies to the authoress, the email has done it . . . again. According to news reports, CIA Director David Petraeus resigned after emails revealed an affair with a former West Point grad/biographer.

This is hardly the first time an exchange of emails has destroyed a reputation or relationship. A decade ago, internal emails about struggling technology companies cost investment firm Merrill Lynch a gazillion dollars. At about the same time, lawyers combing through the emails of bankrupted Enron discovered proof of a number of illicit relationships. In the years since then, Tiger Woods’ reputation plummeted following the publication of his texts to various paramours. And a little more than a year ago, Congressman Michael Weiner resigned after the media discovered inappropriate pictures that the Democrat from NY had texted.

I have written it before, and it appears it’s worth writing again: Whether you are an intern summer associate, new hire or established professional, please do not write anything in an email that you would not want to read on the front page of the New York Times . . . because all too often that's exactly where those emails land.   
 
 
 

Related Things You Need to Know

Developing Allies at Every Level

Allyship may be the “missing link” that can help organizations ensure inclusion actually occurs.

When You Need to Get to "Yes"

Because of covid-19, many employers will have a unique opportunity to discern how well their summer hires manage conflict. My contacts indicate that this year’s summer associates and interns have been assigned to group projects. Disagreements are inevitable when any team goes through the process of forming, storming, norming and performing. Additionally, since most summer hires will work from home, they will need to negotiate with family members or roommates over who gets access to the best printer, the extent to which background noise needs to be minimized during Zoom calls, and who and when someone can just walk into their workspace for a quick chat.

Proving You're a Professional During a Shortened Summer Program

Because so many summer associate and internship programs have been significantly curtailed, the students who will participate in these shortened programs must avoid unforced errors. Like never before, summer hires will have very few opportunities to demonstrate their capabilities. How they handle one or two assignments will create critically important impressions.

Learn More

Order Mary'sbooksto learn the 100 things interns, new hires and summer associates need to know to succeed.

Let Mary Know

Do you have questions or want to see Mary speak at your school/employment? Reach out to Mary for more info.

Contact Mary