"What am I now? Am I your servant, your slave, your property?..." These lines reverberate as I watch an episode of Scandal in the fifth season.
Yes, Olivia Pope is a mind-blowing character and is probably one of my favorite female characters ever played on television.
Why do I like her? Well maybe the next paragraphs might give you an insight into the persona of Olivia Caroline Pope, specifically why her work resonates with me.
But before we acknowledge the intricacies of Olivia, I would say Scandal is probably one of the most honest portrayals of Public Relations, especially at that level of power and politics.
Why focus on public relations? Because for some reason we think any of us can escape the reality that we are all chasing self preservation at whatever cost. Be you an upcoming gubernatorial candidate attempting to push for a change, a reformed Christian looking to spread the gospel through a testimony of your life, a friend hoping to God you get through this intervention because you cannot understand why people think you are this horrible person when it is not the case or whatever situation you may find yourself in.
We care a lot about our reputation and that is why we try so hard to maintain it by cutting people off, changing homes, isolating, deleting social media or limiting its use, or being highly paranoid in public
That is why Olivia Pope and her gang of misfits marvel me because of how they take on whoever it is and transforms them to the best versions of themselves. She is the Queen of Spin and does it flawlessly you would question if you actually committed that crime or said that hurtful thing
Some notable achievement which is what rules the series is how Fitzgerald Grant became the President to the surprise and amazement of many. From transforming the no-chemistry reputation between Fitz and Mellie, changing his entire wardrobe, forcing Fitz to understand why he is running which wasn't for himself but the country, and making a Republican seem more likable to the American people, she was formidable.
Of course she couldn't have done this without believing in him and seeing something of value he had to offer. Sometimes, we are all diamonds in the rough waiting to pass through the fire and become shiny and appealing enough to the public
But what makes up our reputation? Is it the facade we portray when people are around or what comes naturally even though people are absent or present.
Steven Bartlett(founder of Social Chain) talks about what is called Invisible PR(public relations). He says it is always speaking for us everytime. We are not aware of it but it is always there. How you treated that friend of yours when he or she lost their loved ones says a lot about you.
Because, instead of dropping the usual "God knows best, he understands what you are going through", you sat with them, let them cry their heart out, let them express whatever was in their head and heart and you gave them a hug and that did wonders for them but you didn't know as you were only there to show your support.
Or how you treated a fellow co-worker who had made an error in the office. Instead of laughing at him or her, or treating him or her as a dimwit, you decided to arrange a private session where you discussed and tutored on the best way to handle the situation going forward. Your patience through those questions spoke volumes to him or her and then you get surprised when you are promoted when you didn't even campaign.
Your reputation is a currency but you really don't have to fake it if it is not you. You certainly cannot give what you don't have so why bother pretending when you can just self-improve.
Olivia Pope might be a great crisis manager but she cannot do the work for you. To sustain what she has already created, you need to put in the work or jump in a well soon enough.
Also, never feel the need to keep up a reputation especially if that is not who you are. The only person that loses is you and your resentment would be on a đź’Ż
Be you my dear, everyone else is taken
But don't twist facts to suit the idea of "being you", there are dire conséquences
So what is your currency? What do people say about you? Are you relying on self preservation or you are working on yourself?
Do you think reputation saves you or is really not relevant?
Tell me of a time your reputation saved you or hindered your progress
SCANDALOUS
By
Queensley Okon