When We Just Don't Like You

 

"Harvey Weinstein faces 2 indecent assault charges in the UK, prosecutors say" - Insider, June 8, 2022

Both in the global courts of law and in the global courts of public opinion Weinstein can't catch a break. There is no reflection of how sad it is that this giant in film suffers such a loss of power as well as a comfortable lifestyle.  The documentary "Untouchable" positions and packages him as a monster. Yes, he is caught on video labeling a female journalist with the "c" word.

No, the guy isn't likable. He's not the kind of rascal we catapult into the space of forgiveness and even admiration. In that space, of course, is former US President Bill Clinton. For him a total influence fade-out is unlikely.

The same kind of dynamic of not being likable can haunt Amber Heard. At the six-week trial she came off as, you got it, not the kind of person or professional we like. Or could like. So, it could just be that her career is finished. Meanwhile the likable Johnny Depp made it his business to connect with us - and effectively. He "liked" my tweet. He sent me a direct message.

There are also those we had liked and don't like any more. At the top of the list is Bill Cosby. Also, boomers will recall how when Bill first entered the White House some of us revered his wife Hillary as The New Woman. Then, over the years her ambition became so unattractive. There are those like myself who might have "allowed" Donald Trump to win the 2016 presidential election. That was because we couldn't vote for Hillary and we couldn't vote for him. So we didn't vote. Trump supporters did.

In the iconic book "The Power Game" journalist Hedrick Smith hammers that likability is a source of power. A number of leaders at law firms - you bet, law firms are political institutions - leverage likability. That's for influencing regulation/legislation. It also is a handy tool for rainmaking.

Among them is the chairperson of Paul Weiss Brad Karp. In March 2020 I set out to analyze what's unique about his leadership and Paul Weiss. This week I launched the specialized platform "Paul Weiss Almost Everything." 

Here is yesterday's article on how elite law firms such as Paul Weiss seem to decouple new business development from traditional promotion. It's not something consumer products CMOs should try but it sure plays out well in a number of the Am Law 50 firms.

Connect with Editor-in-Chief Jane Genova at janegenova374@gmail.com. She helps businesses conjure up magic in their storytelling. One client said, "She makes shipping containers ‘sexy.’"

 

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