There Were Always Boundaries Communicators Had to Respect

We all have boundaries, the lines we know we should not cross, and communicators understand this more than most. Truth and accuracy are the most important of those lines because they shape how we speak, write and represent the organizations that trust us.

Most people follow similar boundaries as they try to avoid trouble, embarrassment or a loss of credibility. Countries also have boundaries, with governments determining how open or restrictive they should be. Businesses draw lines of their own when describing the value or functionality of their products and ask communicators to stay within those limits.

Truthfulness remains the essential boundary for communicators. Crossing it leads to disappointment, confusion and a breakdown of trust in a world where audiences depend on accuracy and expect brands to mean what they say.

Years ago, when I worked late at ABC and later at NBC, I often wrapped up the day by stopping in at some of New York’s most exclusive clubs. Admission came with its own test. You had to be someone to get inside. Studio 54 was the ultimate example. When Steve Rubell and Ian Schrager opened it in 1977, it quickly became the center of celebrity culture and nightlife in New York.

I would visit occasionally after long days assisting NBC CEO Fred Silverman. Once past the velvet rope, I would watch the real stars enjoy their evening while I tried to blend in and unwind. It served as a vivid reminder that boundaries, whether professional, personal or cultural, are always present. They shape how we move through the world and how others perceive us.