Can You Separate the Product from the Person?

Observations from Managing Partner Jen Prosek in the Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter.

I know this is controversial to say, but I believe in being connected — even on vacation.

I don’t mean obsessively checking emails or sacrificing rest and family time for work. I’m talking about a once-a-day check-in, just enough to ensure no critical fires are burning. In reputation management, especially at senior levels, accessibility is often part of the deal.

So, when I was invited on a vacation so remote it lacked cell service or Wi-Fi, I hesitated. The idea of going dark stressed me out. But more than that, I worried about setting a double standard. I coach clients to stay available — could I really go completely offline?

Then I remembered something: Starlink Roam — a portable satellite internet device that promised to keep me connected anywhere in the world.

I decided to roll the dice.

It worked. In fact, it worked better than my home internet in New York City. I was floored. And that’s when my thoughts turned to the mind behind it: Elon Musk.

I’m not here to debate Musk’s politics or behavior. But I’ve always respected his raw intellect. After using Starlink in the wild, that respect multiplied. And it triggered a question I wrestle with often in my line of work:

When someone builds a product or service that dramatically improves your life, does their personal reputation still matter?

Most of my peers in the reputation management business would say yes – and not without reason.  We’ve seen plenty of companies rise and fall based on the conduct of their leaders. A misstep isn’t just a PR issue — it can tank investor confidence, drive away talent, and alienate customers.

And yet…

Look at Apple. Uber. Meta. SpaceX. Their founders have all faced scrutiny — and at times, serious backlash. But the brands endure. Sometimes they even thrive. Why?

Because the product works. Its brilliance, utility, or convenience builds emotional insulation. When the experience is that good, many consumers choose to look the other way.

So, are we practicing selective morality?

I don’t have a definitive answer. But I do know this: reputation is a high-stakes game. For 99% of leaders, public missteps can be existential. The 1% who emerge unscathed? They usually benefit from smart advisors — and a rare, unpredictable mix of timing, brand loyalty, and public perception.

Most of us are playing in the 99% zone. Reputation matters. Behavior matters. And sometimes, one tweet or one headline can define your future.

I’d love to hear what others think. Because no matter where I am in the world — yes, even deep in the wilderness — I’ll be reading your comments.

Follow Jen’s Leading in Volatile Times Newsletter on LinkedIn.