Posted by Matt Purdue
First, Apple leader Steve Jobs has reportedly returned to work at the company in Silicon Valley following a liver transplant. Jobs’ health (or lack thereof) has spurred nagging questions for five years now, since he announced in 2004 that he was having surgery to remove a cancerous tumor on his pancreas. During this crisis, Jobs was open with employees, investors and the media, informing them that his cancer was a rare, less-aggressive form of pancreatic cancer than the grave condition most of us have come to expect from this disease.
The media’s been abuzz over Jobs ever since, commenting ad nauseum on his appearance and his disappearances from industry events. In September 2008, Jobs implied that he was fine, and announced that he would no longer answer questions about his health. But this year, Jobs revealed both that he’s suffering from a hormone imbalance, and also that he had a liver transplant. The media—print, digital and social—continue to follow his every move with baited breath.
And now comes South Carolina Governor Mark Sanford. The 49-year-old Republican vanished for seven days, leaving his staff and family apparently in the dark and an entire state wondering just who the heck they elected to run things. When cornered by curious journalists, Sanford’s staff told them he was hiking the Appalachian Trail. When media questioned Sanford’s wife after he was missing for four days, she said she wasn’t worried because he had told her that he needed to get away and do some writing. Maybe I should try that one at home next time I want to get out. The latest news comes from Sanford’s local newspaper: he told reporters that he was in Argentina. What gives?
From a PR perspective, I can only sit back and wonder, “What are these people thinking?” Jobs’ situation is complicated, because there’s a natural reaction to all the fuss: there’s nothing more personal than a person’s health, so leave him alone. Why should Jobs share his most intimate details? Well, it’s simple. Jobs’ company, at least in part, has been built on his reputation, his star power. He owes it to the people who helped build that reputation—his customers, partners, employees, shareholders and, yes, the media—to be open and honest about his condition.
He also owes it to the tens of millions of the people in our workforce who are living with chronic conditions and disabilities, from cancer and lupus to diabetes and even eating disorders. Rather than hide behind a veil of secrecy, Jobs would benefit himself, these folks and society as a whole to be open and honest about how he can continue to contribute to his company—even while living with serious challenges—and also what his limitations might be.
As for Sanford, all I can do is laugh. As I write this, I’m waiting for his press conference to begin in a few minutes. But, truth be told, he’s got no excuse. If this press conference is not to announce his resignation, I don’t really want to hear it. Even members of South Carolina’s Republican party are piling on Sanford. Let’s see how he tries to worm his way out of this one.
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