The Legend of Chris and Its Impacts

 We’ve talked a bit already about the impact of Chris’s legend on his career. Today, let’s delve a little deeper. 


Throughout his career, Chris has maintained good relationships with the city council and other government officials, both before and after the myth. The myth was believable because, although it was an embellishment, it was still the embodiment of his personality and leadership style. 


It could be argued that Chris’s success in relationship-building and leadership was in part due to the myth, but the myth alone could never carry him through an entire career. His path, like the paths of most people, is a combination of both his actions and people’s perception of him. It’s difficult to say how much his omission of the truth shaped people’s perception, because it is one piece in many aspects of his career. 


We can safely say, however, that there is an impact as people continue to tell the story. And the impact would be even greater, if, now, Chris were to tell the truth. It’s a not-uncommon issue, both for people and organizations themselves. At Nordstrom’s, for example, stories of exceptional customer service serve to show new employees and customers their commitment to serving customers. For example, new employees are told the story of a “Nordie” who refunded a customer for a set of tires, even though they didn’t stock tires. (Bolman and Deal, pg. 262). Is the story true? Maybe, maybe not. But the spirit of the story is true, and bolstered by the company’s actions. 


Often, these stories, while not completely true, do more good than harm. In the case of Nordstrom’s, an exposé revealing that these tales of exceptional service never happened wouldn’t serve the company or the customers. There is little good that can come from revealing it. 


In Chris’s case, it’s important to look at why it could be important to be truthful about the story at this point. On one hand, he would be seen as humble and honest. But there would be immediate questions- why didn’t he say something sooner? Why didn’t he confess at any point, including his most recent job interview? 


In Chris’s case, what began as a possibly self-serving act- not telling his co-workers the full truth one day after a meeting, has become a legend that embodies the way Chris and his department do business. And in that way, while not factual, the story has become truth.  

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