I’m sitting on United flight 467.

We’re on the ground in Chicago waiting to get going to San Francisco.

Right after we boarded and got settled in, the pilot came on the public address system and said: “Management wants us to take off, but I want the brakes fixed first. We’re waiting for the mechanics to get the parts replaced and put things back in order.”

Way to throw the company under the bus, huh?

So, is your receptionist doing that to your firm? Are your associates or paralegals doing it?

“I’m sorry that you have to put more money in trust, but that bastard firm owner wants the money.”

Is that what they’re saying? Are they trashing your reputation because it’s easier for them to blame someone else?

I have no idea what the relationship between United and its pilots is really like, but this situation makes a pretty strong case for keeping your employees happy.

It also makes the case for helping employees understand how we’re all in this together. They need to know that your reputation affects them and vice-versa.

When they bring you down a notch, they’re diminishing the importance of their experience working in your firm. They’re also directly damaging the firm’s ability to pay them, train them, and increase their salary over time.

It’s helpful for you to explain the economic connection of everyone in the firm and the need to promote your collective reputation rather than disparage it.

If they can’t feel good about working in your firm and express that to others, they ought to find employment somewhere that they can feel good about.

That’s a better choice for them and for you.