The broadcast wasn't scheduled to begin for a few minutes and while he was an expert communicator, he wanted a few minutes of prep time. So, Ronald Reagan, the most powerful man in the world, in the middle of the Cold War, grabbed what he thought was a dead mic and said, "My fellow Americans, I'm pleased to tell you today that I've signed legislation that will outlaw Russia forever. We begin bombing in five minutes". Unfortunately for Reagan, the mic was on...it was supposed to be a joke meant just for the people in the room, but it was recorded and later leaked to the public causing quite a stir.
Hot mic moments unfortunately happen all the time. People saying things when they believe they are on mute, blowing off steam when they think nobody is listening, trying to be funny but ending up offensive, or I've even heard a speaker use the restroom, with a live wireless mic in their pocket (thankfully it was cut off before things got uncomfortable)...
I can remember one day growing up, I had just received some well-deserved correction from my father in the front yard and was storming around the back of the house, sharing out loud with the trees and clouds just what I thought about him in the moment. I had learned a lot of words by then and was using every one of them. Unfortunately for me, my mother was out back hanging laundry on the clothesline. Not even a wooden spoon and mouthful of soap could clean up that hot-mic moment!
"Watch your tongue and keep your mouth shut, and you will stay out of trouble." Proverbs 21:23
Words have the power to lift up or tear down. To build a bridge or dig a mote. To encourage or disparage. So be careful to guard your tongue, even when you think nobody is listening. You can't get words back once they are spoken.
Just this week, I heard a report of a teammate saying something hurtful during a video call thinking they were on mute...but weren't, and another incident where a leader said something in a meeting intending to be funny but instead was belittling and stupid. Both situations hurt someone else and their own reputation.
"The words of the wicked are like a murderous ambush, but the words of the godly saves lives." Proverbs 12:6
If you find yourself on the ambush side of someone else's hot mic moment, my advice is to use those words as motivation. They usually flow out of insecurity, unchecked emotion, arrogance, or ignorance. Don't let an unwise person's stray arrow penetrate your heart.
The words of the Godly save lives. Keep a healthy inventory of encouraging words on the tip of your tongue so when your mouth opens, those are first ones to spill out.
If you don't say dumb or hurtful things, it doesn't matter if the mic is on or off. That said we're all human and say things we shouldn't...so, either keep your mouth shut or check the mic before you end up hurting someone else, winding up with a spoon tattoo and mouthful of dial…or even worse, a lack of respect from others.
