One Loss Doesn’t Define a Season — And One Article Doesn’t Define Your Reputation

Athletes don't dwell on losing one game and you need to stop getting wrapped around the axle about one single piece of coverage.

You’re just not that important — and neither is one article.

Yes, you want the headline to sing.

Yes, you want the framing tight.

Yes, you want millions of people to read it and think, “Wow, what a company.”

But here’s the uncomfortable truth: A story that gets 75% right is not a crisis — it’s a Wednesday.

You can live with that.

Your reputation can live with that.

And the stuff they didn’t get perfect is usually inconsequential to everyone except… you.

Now, to be clear: A truly bad story — the kind that’s wrong, damaging, or starts spreading — can hurt you.

But even then, you can recover.

It’s the spread that’s the problem, not the existence of one imperfect article.

The reality is this:

News cycles are short

Attention spans are shorter

And almost no one is thinking about your company as often or as intensely as you are

The best communicators don’t obsess over single hits.

They play the long game:

Are we shaping the conversation over time

Are we showing up consistently in the right places

Are we evolving how people understand who we are and why we matter

That’s what moves perception.

Not nit‑picking every earned media hit like a Monday Morning Quarterback.

So instead of litigating every story, partner with your comms team to get your message out more often, to the right people, in more formats.

Repetition builds reputation.

Consistency builds credibility.

And the more times you show up (without over-saturating), the more complete your story becomes and the better chance you have at moving the needle and helping drive business growth.