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PR Tips 101: Stand up for someone else and someone is going to stand up for you when you least expect it

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When you stand up for someone else who cannot stand up for themselves, someone is going to stand up for you when you least expect it-Simon T Bailey.

When I read this statement by Simon, it really struck a chord with me.

When someone I believe in has become disheartened because of the way someone in our  industry has been treating them, I take a stand for them. I can’t tell you how many peers will pretend to be your friend, only to just talk about you behind your back or make sure you aren’t invited to the next event. The good thing is I can see it from a mile away and I know how it feels. What I notice most is that vendors in our business are afraid to stand up for themselves. Even worse is, our colleagues don’t want to get black listed from the high school clique that they are lucky enough to be accepted in, so they wont do anything to ruffle feathers to make a stand for you. Guess what? I will. I am not afraid of the bully who tweets rude, passive aggressive comments hoping that they look like the “expert,” while someone out there who they know will read it, feels inferior. There are people out there who are going to cut others down, but we can do something about that. We can decide to stand up for people. We can choose to be a champion for those that don’t get the credit or the industry pat on the back that they deserve.

I remember when I was growing up, my mom was always rooting for the underdog, be it a sporting event, a spelling bee, or a grade school presidential election. It didn’t matter, she said the ones who need the most support are the ones who people don’t believe in. This really stuck with me and as an adult I strive to be the voice for the person who doesn’t have one. When we know someone is spreading rumors and alienating others it’s morally wrong to just stand by and let it happen.  I believe that giving gives back and loyal, kind hearts are rewarded.  You may be one of  the most popular, highly regarded, and respected in the wedding business now, so what are you doing with that responsibility? I still believe that  A little integrity is better than any career… don’t you?

Photo by Leo Patrone

0 responses to “PR Tips 101: Stand up for someone else and someone is going to stand up for you when you least expect it”

  2. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  7. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  8. @weddingPR thanks for sharing that article and making everyone aware. it gave me hope.

  9. Well spoken!! And this really resonates in the Plus Size Bride world. Thanks so much for saying what so many others wanted to say but didn’t.

  12. So true… this resonates with me so deeply. There are so many cliques in this industry, it’s really hard being the underdog sometimes and to stand up for yourself. Love this Leila… continue to encourage and empower all of the lovely vendors out there.

  13. Leila, I love reading your Tuesday posts. My parents used to told me to same and I thought that was old school for a while. You bring loves and supports to most people and I can’t say thank you enough… Thank you.

  14. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  15. Leila, this is a wonderful message! Something that is going on far too frequently in our industry – the reason I don’t attend WPPI in fact. When love and sincerity are replaced with posturing and greed, I really believe you should make a quick move to law school or advertising. Weddings are all about the couple, their friends and family, and your positive energy to support them. Make your product shine for them, forget about your colleagues (the negative ones), and you win in the end. Every time.

  16. Thanks so much for this. I have always been really strong and been very capable of sticking up for myself and others, but since becoming a part of this industry it seems that backbone is not rewarded, and in many cases punished. I have had my run ins with the mean girls and have even had my work stolen by some of them, but in the end they have to do that to feel better about themselves so I sorta feel bad for them. In the end I was blessed with a gift that no one can take from me, and that is my creativity… and now that I know better, I will continue to speak my mind and stick up for myself and my friends and tell these people where to stick it!!

  19. Not knowing the right thing to do, when it comes to how to treat another human being, is harmful to individuals, colleagues and the industry.

    As bad as THAT is, there is nothing more insidious than knowing the right thing to do and NOT doing it. Unfortunately, this is where just about everyone on the planet goes wrong at one time or another, though with both age and experience, most of us improve.

  20. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  21. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  23. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  24. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  26. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  28. @weddingPR thank you for writing about this and being a voice for others who feel the same way about integrity.

  31. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  32. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  33. RT @weddingPR: you’re one of the most well known and respected people in the industry – what are you doing with that responsibility? htt …

  38. This article couldn’t have come at a better time. This is so true, and i really hope that each person reading it will at least take away a piece of the writing, and change their lives with it.

  40. Amen, sister! Thank you for writing this, and for standing up for those whose voice is being compromised. Cyber-bullying is noooo fun. Just had someone leave an anonymous, hurtful comment on an article – supposedly a friend of mine from the past – and s/he never stood up to claim it! I think it is a sign of feeling inferior or jealous.

  43. the wedding photography industry can be a bit like high school, if you let it. Being popular with the other photographers doesn’t get you that far with your clients, though… it’s best to just be true to yourself.

  44. What a great post! I’m so not a fan of the passive aggressive comments. Social Media can feel a bit like a run in with the mean kids on the playground sometimes. Thanks for this!

  45. Look at you Leila! Hell hath no fury like a Be Inspired PR girl scorned. I LOVE IT! Remember this… Ability can bring someone to the top but character and compassion will keep them there. Those so called “leaders” of the wedding industry will not change because Integrity doesn’t have an ego or a budget. But don’t worry, there will be new some new real soon! 😉

  48. AMEN! I feel the same way! Thanks for taking a stand on this especially in your position where smoothing things over may seem the proper thing to do! Well said!!!

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