Donald Sterling named worst communicator of 2014
Donald Sterling's recorded conversations with V. Stiviano drew attention and inflammation. Now, they earn him an award: worst communicator of 2014.
Decker Communications, a leading business communications training and consulting firm, has released its annual list ranking the best and worst communicators of the year. And sports figures drew particular distinction, good and bad, with Sterling, the disgraced former Los Angeles Clippers owner, coming out on the bottom.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell came in fourth among worst communicators, while ESPN commentator Stephen A. Smith was seventh. Goodell drew criticism for his treatment of domestic violence cases, while Smith was suspended by the network for his own comments on the Ray Rice domestic violence case.
Meanwhile, retired New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter came in fourth and NBA Commissioner Adam Silver, so forthright in his assessment of Sterling, was sixth among the best communicators of the year.
Here are both lists, released Tuesday:
BEST COMMUNICATORS OF 2014
- Robin Williams, in memoriam, actor and comedian
- Richard Branson, founder, Virgin Group
- Wendy Clark, senior marketing executive, Coca-Cola
- Derek Jeter, retired shortstop, New York Yankees
- Jimmy Fallon, host, The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon
- Adam Silver, NBA Commissioner
- Lupita Nyong'o, actress
- Kathy Murphy, president, Fidelity Personal Investing
- Taylor Swift, pop star
- Tony Fadell, CEO and founder, Nest
WORST COMMUNICATORS OF 2014
- Donald Sterling, former owner, LA Clippers
- Chuck Hagel, former U.S. Secretary of Defense
- Michael Bay, Hollywood director
- Roger Goodell, NFL Commissioner
- Jill Abramson, former executive editor, New York Times
- Kanye West, R&B star
- Stephen A. Smith, ESPN commentator
- Rikk Wilde, zone manager, Chevrolet
- Richard Ledgett, deputy director of the National Security Agency
- Barack Obama, president of the United States
