By Mary Becker
The Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary defines credibility as, “the quality or power of inspiring belief, capacity for belief.” Do you ever think about your own credibility? I have thought about it quite a bit during my recruiting career. In fact, credibility is the No. 1 response recruiters make to the question, “what is the single-most important attribute you need to possess to be a successful recruiter?” A recruiter who says one thing and does another, a recruiter who can”t keep matters confidential, a recruiter who plays fast and loose with clients or candidates.
These are recruiters who didn”t last long in my business. The word gets out.
I wish there was the same emphasis on credibility in the political field. It seems like anything goes these days for most political types. I remember the video that went viral several months ago of Sen. Arlen Specter answering the question, “why did you change political parties?” His answer, “because I want to get reelected.” While I have to give Specter points for honesty, I have to question his credibility. How could he spend all those years in one party if the other party was really the best place from which to serve his constituents?
Anyway, Specter came to mind last week when I opened the Record-Bee to see that Jack Baxter had endorsed Frank Rivero for sheriff.
I have only met Baxter once, but on the day I listened to him speak he certainly wasn”t saying positive things about his fellow candidate, Frank Rivero. Nothing in what he said or did when he looked me in the eye and shook my hand made me think he would ever consider supporting Rivero. In fact, it was the understanding of both my husband and I that Baxter thought Rivero would be a terrible choice for sheriff. So, what could have possibly changed his mind and made him swing from openly criticizing Rivero for his lack of experience to endorsing him for sheriff?
Hmmm, I thought, now what could make Baxter experience such an about-face regarding Rivero? Could the change have taken place when Rivero suggested to Baxter that he might make an excellent undersheriff?
Certainly Rivero realized that if he could get Baxter to endorse him he would be in a much better position to win the sheriff”s race, no surprise there.
Could it be that Baxter traded his endorsement for the promise of a job if Rivero wins the sheriff”s office? Is anyone else starting to see maybe a teensy bit of credibility problem here?
Quid pro quo, pay for play or the always popular, you scratch my back, I”ll scratch yours.
There are many names for deals like the one I think may have taken place between Baxter and Rivero. While I”m sure what these candidates did was legal, my mind keeps coming back to the question of the candidate”s credibility.
Can I trust a candidate who swings on a dime from what he says he believes to what his opposition believes?
I can”t help but wonder if he will swing on other issues in this same fashion, how will I ever know what he really means? Does he mean it now? Will he mean it tomorrow, next week, and next year?
How can I depend on him, is he credible?
I learned long ago not to judge folks by what they say, talk is cheap. No, I always look to what a person does; their actions always tell me more than their words.
Credibility is always found or not found in a person”s actions. Personally, I cannot say I find much credibility in Baxter actions.
Mary Becker is a former San Francisco business owner who now lives in Lake County. Contact her at mbnorthernlights@gmail.com.
