Karen Mattonen responds to “The Silent Majority”

Wow! Has anybody else seen this? VERY interesting reading.

Comments

[Your HR Guy]

Trying to understand the issue here. Is ERE not Manaster's site? I don't see anything sinister in his actions, just trying to protect his assets and he has all the right to do so. The real question now remains why she would even want to go back to that site? Manaster ain't leaving and whatever ego stroke she could hope for out of a public apology isn't likely to happen either.

[Colin Kingsbury]

IMHO, it was getting to the point where they were probably waiting for an excuse to do this, and it all started with the various "ethics in recruiting" discussions. She chose to make herself the standard bearer for a very uncompromising position on these topics, and it should come as a surprise to no one that after a while this wasn't going to make her too many friends. She was like a Catholic priest living in San Francisco preaching every day against homosexuality. You'll make a very few very good friends, and a boatload of enemies.

The biggest problem I have, and what I think did her in, was not that she took an uncompromising position on what is and isn't ethical, but that after a while her arguments came to lack any sense of nuance, wit, or insight. First show me that you're still open to new ideas and alternative thoughts. Barring that, make me laugh a little, and I'll still pay attention. If you think you're the only sane person in the asylum, then humoring the nuts may seem offensive to you. But, it's what you have to do to win converts.

The beauty of the situation is that Karen is free to open her own blog and rally supporters around her standard without one bit of interference from David, Maureen, or anyone else who might possibly have it in for her. On the Web, she's only a link away, and if she finds a way to present her views in an engaging manner, she'll win plenty of fans.

[Karen Mattonen]

Colin,
what you said really struck a chord, and got me thinking. You made a lot of good points actually.
It got me to wondering why? I did start losing my sense of humor, around the last two years or so - had been a strong member of ERE for about 8 years or so (was one of the initial members)

Now my comments may sound defensive, but understand I am thinking aloud -
It was around that time that the labels and attacks started - and major liasons and cliques were being formed. After a while it really did become frustrating. One person in particular was really active in what appeared to be tremendous campaign to silence me..
I remember at the ERE convention in San Diego Last Year several people kept asking me what was this person's beef with me..

It was easy to start getting ultra sensitive. After a while, it became challenging, and even frustrating. The saying that sticks and stones.. but words will never hurt me isn't all true in reality. In many ways it was very intimidating. Being an advocate for a volatile subject like ethics and law is often difficult enough, but, it became even more complicated when one's personal and business reputation was also challenged frequently. It became too easy to take the bait after a while.

What was extremely Shocking Colin - when I woke up and saw all those responses, and a majority were actually in my favor. I had NOT expected that at all. The emails and telephone calls, the outpouring support and concern that I have received have been a tremendous help in boosting my morale as well..

It has been an interesting journey, but refreshing. One of the biggest insights has been to realize that there really are some grand people in this industry.

I am sure that good things will come from this eventually.. but my biggest concern today, is how what was said will affect my reputation in this industry. The internet unfortunately is indeed continual, and constant, and things are never easily forgotten.

Time will tell, and hopefully I will be able to regain my sense of humor, and not be scared of hidden meanings and agendas any more. Also hopefully there will be something to be learned from all of this.

Thanks for your insight Colin. I respect your point of view. There will definitely be a lot of different perceptions in this matter for sure.

Karen M

P.S. - I want to take the opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has expressed their support to me. It truly has been appreciated.

[Restaurant Jobs]

I think that what is said often times can have a huge impact on one's reputation.

More often than not, it is what a person says THEMSELVES that has the biggest impact, not what others say.

My $.02
- Carl

[John Sloan]

If I were you Karen I would stop responding to this and all other threads about this entire situation, if not it will work against you forever like a perpetual motion machine. The more you respond, the more you keep it alive and in the public mind. Just let it go. This is your biggest problem. The people who you really care about, the folks that matter will assess your reputation and make their judgments based off their interaction with you...not what someone else has to say. If they don't then you could care less about them or their opinions anyway, right?

Your response to Colin, while it might have been cathartic, is indicative of your behavior on ERE....you never seem to be able to give anyone the last word.....so stop....let it die.....quit feeding it. People either will agree with you and your points/postings or they won't, no matter how many times you respond back! You cannot beat a thread to death like you do and expect folks to think that you have an open mind and are just giving you two cents worth…..it always sounds like “I am responding to your post because obviously you didn’t read my last post so pay attention because I’m going to say it all again in this post….do you not get it yet?” Be willing to say what you have to say and don’t concern yourself so much with making everyone agree with you….post and walk away. Just my two cents.

[Julie]

Or else keep posting Karen. You have plenty of friends out here on the net and we'll be here for you - cause that's what friends do.

All those ugly folks would like you to walk away quietly. Sometimes that's the right thing to do when an injustice has been committed, and sometimes it is clearly NOT the right thing to do.

[Karen mattonen]

Julie,
thanks so much for the warm Sentiments. I appreciate it.
Karen

[Sonya]

I am ordering my "TEAM MATTONEN" tee shirt on Cafe Press right now!