Only someone living under a rock could have missed what unfolded at a Coldplay concert last month. After shying away when shown on the kiss cam, it came out that the couple being spotted on the screen was a company CEO and his Chief People Officer. The fallout was significant, ranging from lost jobs to hurt for both affected families. The event went viral, and many were seen reenacting the moment at sporting events and on screens seemingly everywhere. 

Numerous responses poked fun at the situation. Others scolded, stating that real families were being impacted and that the unearthing of an affair should not be viewed as entertainment. But are these the only takeaways from a concert that will now live in infamy?

Trustworthy Takeaways

• Slow fade: No one goes from happily married to having an affair with a coworker in one fell swoop. Things like this start small and then slowly escalate over time. This is a reminder that even one small compromise, in any area of life or work, might be the first step in a long journey that ends with a terrible destination. Divorce, demotion, being fired…these are all outcomes at the end of a path made up of numerous incremental steps. 
• Proof is in the pudding: Numerous outlets have reported that the CEO, Andy Byron, plans to sue Coldplay for putting him on the jumbotron without his permission. Byron claims that this is a violation of his privacy and that it has now cost him his job and probably his marriage. This response of shifting blame for his own actions is no doubt just a tip of the iceberg that reveals Byron’s lack of character. Given enough time, a person’s integrity, or lack thereof, will come out. In this case, it is happening on display for the whole world to see. 
• Ripple effect: We often act without thinking about the negative impact that might extend to others around us. Whether or not this couple stopped to consider this on the front end, the collateral damage here has been significant. Spouses, kids, coworkers, and more have been caught up in the wake. This one event alone will change the trajectory of multiple lives, and not for the better.
• Them vs. me: Every moment we are faced with a choice: Do I act in my own best interest or in the interest of others? We all naturally value ourselves above everyone else, because we feel the effects of things much more than how they affect others. Even still, some live their lives with a bent towards serving and caring for those around them. Others choose themselves and act in a way that elevates their own self-interest while lowering the needs of others. Each day you and I must ask ourselves, “Which group am I in?”

In Closing

In which of the four areas above are you at greatest risk? Will knowing this change the decisions that you choose to make today?