E is for Endorsement

Acceptance is a funny thing. While we often are content to have no one in direct defiance of what we do, more often we seek the endorsement of our closest friends and family. Occasionally, we seek the endorsement of those who know us in passing or not at all. There is no salary in this endorsement, at least not of a monetary nature.

If we are not talking about being paid millions to wear a piece of clothing or drive a particular car, what sort of endorsement are we seeking? Let’s consult Merriam Webster. When we want someone to endorse our behavior, we want them:

2. a : to approve openly <endorse an idea>; especially : to express support or approval of publicly and definitely

The level of endorsement is up to interpretation. We are willing to accept No news is good news. If there is no one openly, publicly and definitely disapproving or reprimanding us, we consider it tacit endorsement.

Everyone

While we seek the approval of Mate, BFF, Parent, Sibling and Quaint first, we do seek the endorsement of everyone. No? Would you like to avoid any of the following situations?

  • Disapproving look of someone observing your appearance on the street
  • Vocal opposition to a proposed idea, improvement or recommendation
  • Noting of minuscule imperfection of a satisfactory product
  • Pointing out disparities between your beliefs and reality
  • Skepticism of your authority

Oh, we do seek endorsement from everyone.

Engineered

In the truest sense, endorsement is about public acknowledgement; however, getting someone to commit to a public endorsement is difficult on the best days. People are not moved to openly stand behind anyone else, especially if the behavior was not originally their idea or a core of their belief system. They are willing to stand in the background, out of others’ fields of vision, and cheer.

Getting them to shake the pompoms when you stand before your detractors or audience is far less likely. They are willing to risk reputation and ridicule of their own actions, but not those of anyone else.

In the face of others’ fear of guilt by association, we will take the backroom cheerleaders as endorsers, engineering endorsements.

Excruciating

More contrived than the engineered endorsement is the acceptance of tacit endorsement. Although it is false, we will accept it in lieu of no endorsement at all. How is it false?

Many people operate under the principle:

Therefore, their failure to (object to, ridicule, dissociate themselves from) our actions and statements does not mean they approve of either. The absence of a negative does not indicate a positive. Likewise, neutrality is not the same as endorsement.

Be careful when gauging the amount of support you have for an idea or action. Just because no one came to you to tell you it was wrong does not mean there are not people who do think it is wrong.

Equal

How often have you been the cheerleader from the safety of a private conversation where no one would ever find out you told someone you supported them? Did you do it for a friend or family member who is a true endorser?

Even though we seek the endorsement of those around us, we rarely afford them reciprocity. Like those who engineer endorsement of us, we respond in kind. It is the way we show support for one another without compromising our (reputations, belief systems, ideals). This is a place where equality is truly less authentic.

Ethical

In order to ethically endorse, we have to be convicted the stance or action is defensible and congruent with our characters. That happens to be a tall order because we are individuals with varied beliefs. Engineered and excruciating endorsements are strictly unethical. They require a level of dishonesty.

  • Exaggerating support to endorsement seeker
  • Omission of support when around dissidents
  • Claiming support when none has been offered

Were we honest with ourselves and those seeking our endorsement we would come right out and say…

End

Just because someone does not endorse your idea or current behavior does not mean they disapprove of you as a person. It is perfectly possible to love people, but hate the things they do or say. Lack of endorsement is not the only reflection of your character. Your endorsement is far more important.

Do you have someone you love, but hate some of the things they do or say? Can you stop engineering endorsement?

If you tweet or +1 this post, please use the hashtag #AtoZChallenge!


© Red Dwyer 2012
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55 Comments

  1. Phew that’s a lot to think about. I had a pretty profound thought, profound on my scale of wowness, about half way through this but I seem to be having trouble keeping the little buggers in today. I have really liked these posts because you take something that on a superficial level means one thing – or nothing really.. I mean that as, take endorsement.. like sports dudes endorsing a product. On a superficial level thats what endorsement is and it’s about money, and by digging into the truth of the meaning and how it applies.. it is worthy of pondering .. anyways I am rambling a bit, I will cone back when I can pinpoint what I was trying to say.
    Lizzie Cracked recently posted..Weekly Photo Challenge: TogetherMy Profile

    Reply
    • Red

       /  May 1, 2012

      No problem, Lizzie. There are some of the posts which will make your brain hang out. I like what is at the core so much better than what things are normally dressed up to be. You will eventually get to some of the garlic posts. Those are the ones where the poems have so many layers everyone gets something different. I think of it like ambrosia. It is all fruit, but everyone tastes something different. 🙂

      Reply
  2. People tend to feel uncomfortable when they see others changing and/or trying something new.
    I’ve been on the receiving end of those who do not endorse, not because they don’t love me or care but because they are challenged or do not fully understand.

    I try my best to encourage, positively critique and give my input when someone I know is about to do something new.
    I believe if that’s what I want to receive, I should be prepared to do it to others.

    My writing has been a gift which only a few knew about, before I started to keep a Blog.
    Many know me as the IT guy who can build/fix PCs, develop websites and Databases and they are comfortable with that.
    The very thought of me writing on issues close to home, which could also include information concerning friends & family, make many uncomfortable.
    I see their lack of ‘E’ncouragement & ‘E’ndorsement concerning this as a pseudo veiled compliment.
    Although they wouldn’t readily admit it, they actually do think it’s possible that I could write something which could sell.

    I’m motivated by both…receiving endorsements and not receiving any.
    As it’s written, “A prophet is without honour in his own country”…I find that to be true.
    My most positive endorsements come from people who hardly know me, from fellow Bloggers and writers.

    It’s important that my gift is recognised.
    I’m humble enough to accept positive advice but also single minded enough to push on.
    If the encouragement is not forth-coming, I believe when I’m finished, the work will speak for itself.
    Phil recently posted..The importance of sharing.My Profile

    Reply
    • To a large degree, endorsement is merely reinforcement of ego which bolsters those who may be lacking there but not in talent. We still crave the acceptance of our gifts and ourselves. To me, the compliment from the one who knows nothing of the path I have traveled to arrive is more sincere than the one tempered with forgiveness for my shortcomings.

      Reply
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