How getting to know each other improves relations

Those of you familiar with the secret world of Gannett Blog know I have back-channel communications with company officers, rank-and-file workers and the occasional member (you know who you are!) of the board of directors.

Now, here's a lesson that goes back to my days as a beat reporter. It's a lot harder to slam the Daily Bugle when you're in occasional off-the-record correspondence with its publisher, ad director or editor. That doesn't mean I won't call the Bugle on a screw-up. But knowing managers as human beings -- rather than just names -- makes me think twice before I hit the "publish post" button.

With that in mind, drop me a line -- confidentially, of course, via gannettblog[at]gmail[dot-com]. See Tipsters Anonymous Policy in the green sidebar, upper right.