What Meghan and Harry’s interview teaches businesses

Negative claims made against you or your organization may not rise to the level of a primetime interview with Oprah. However, facing negative claims is only a matter of time for most businesses, albeit in your local newspaper, your trade magazine or a negative review on social media.

Here are three lessons from Meghan and Harry’s rift with the royal family that can apply to your business:

1. Actively seek your blind spots. The best way to prevent negative PR is to deal with the skeletons in your closet. No amount of PR can make up for gross errors, and “that’s the way it’s always been” is not sufficient for 2021. Conduct regular 360 audits. Look for blind spots in yourself, your leaders and your business. Seek out critique from those outside the organization and those inside the organization. Don’t rest on your laurels. Improve your organization and you will prevent potential crises from starting in the first place.

2. Keep drama in-house. Work diligently to maintain a loyal, trusting culture in your business. Don’t give your employees – or your customers – a reason to talk. Cut off in-office gossip. If you do have an issue with an employee or customer, be a peacemaker. Seek to bring resolution while they are still in-house. Listen and make amends when needed. By all means don’t give them reason to go public.

3. Know what to say and when to say it. Sometimes it’s beneficial to speak out and sometimes it’s not. Know the difference. Remember, no comment is not an option. However, like Harry and Meghan, you can explain why it’s best for you not to speak. Maybe the investigation isn’t complete or you’re still working on a joint agreement. Always measure your words. There’s a knife edge between sharing what is true and maligning someone else.

Waiting to get PR help until the day you need it means you have already lost your future battle. You can’t come into a crisis situation behind and unprepared. Get a PR expert in your corner.

Time will tell the impact of Meghan and Harry’s rift on the future of the monarchy. Your business – without the monarchy’s longevity and resources – has a lot more to lose from negative publicity.

Hi, I'm Allison Sit, TV reporter turned PR consultant. I help motivated small business owners gain visibility and media exposure for their companies.

Follow me on Instagram at @allisonsitpr.