"Off the Record"

Is there such thing as off the record?  Perhaps if you're interviewing for a newspaper, or giving a statement to an attorney............yes.  In sales........no.  What does that mean when someone during the work day says "this is off the record?"  It means that they're going to tell you something, but they don't want you to recall it, refer to it, or credit it back to them.  It basically means that they don't want to be liable for any fall-out that might come from passing this knowledge on.  Well, that's simply not possible in day to day business.

We all get the choice to either say something, or not say it.  If you choose to say it, you better be passionate about it's message, and own up to what it creates.  If you're spreading gossip, saying it's off the record does not exclude you from the chain.  If you're giving an opinion, saying it's off the record does not make you less opinionated.

We should all stand up for what we believe in.  Stay consistent, share your opinion, tell us how you feel, pass on info that you think is pertinent.............and then own up to it.  If you think hard about saying something, before you say it.........and then you still determine that it's worth saying, there should never be a reason to say anything "off the record."  If you don't want your message referenced in the future, simply keep your message to yourself.

Thinking things through should be a focus in every aspect of life, every day.  Determine what you think is right, wrong, important, and worthy..........and then own it.  Everyone will appreciate it, and find value in it.