Letterman's Luck

David Letterman is lucky. Some may question how that can be when his private affairs, literally, are now so public. And some may say, if he can do it and keep his job, so can I.

Unlike most executives and leaders in modern-day business, absent more “bombshells” or a precipitous decline in his ratings, Letterman will retain his position, though he will suffer through some very public embarrassment. Had he not been so prominent and such a powerful audience draw, he likely would have been tossed out of his job for engaging in romantic relationships with his subordinates, consensual or not.

It does not appear that Letterman violated any laws, and no one is claiming harassment. Nevertheless, this point is clear: His conduct had to have caused some collateral damage, not just to his family, but to others working with him. From what I have read, it is obvious that many of his staffers must have known of his romances and to some extent wondered whether they could ever be evaluated on the same plane as those with whom he was involved. This kind of workplace liaison destroys credibility and undermines a leader’s ability to be and appear objective. The conduct is unprofessional, corrodes trust, and is toxic.

Anyone who likens their situation to Letterman’s is getting the wrong message. Unless an individual is extremely and unusually powerful and for some unusual reason benefits from the publicity his/her behavior generates, the result will not be positive. Instead, there is a strong probability that this kind of behavior will blight careers, whether the relationship is voluntary or not and whether a lawsuit is ever the result. We’ve seen that happen in the corporate, government, military, and public worlds. Letterman’s situation is an exception, not the rule.