Knowing when to hold ‘em and when to disclose 'em is slowly becoming the million dollar question that defines the relationship between the military on an installation and the surrounding community. Maybe the time is now for a paradigm shift. Military organizations need to disclose information, even when it appears to be of a negative flavor. Case studies of Texaco and Eddie Bauer offer a few examples of why it is important to disclose bad news at the earliest opportunity. Military leaders and public affairs practitioners can learn from the many corporate lessons that affect an organization's credibility. When you are looking to enhance your organization’s credibility with the surrounding community, turning that bad news into good news is a great place to start.

Disclaimer
Updated: July 22, 1998