There is a genuine, persistent communication problem that becomes front-page news whenever a great crime is committed.

For example, investment advisor Bernard Madoff allegedly absconded with billions of dollars in an unprecedented Ponzi scheme.

Can you imagine, given the nonstop media coverage that ensued when this story broke, how difficult it would be to find a jury of his peers that had not formed a negative impression, that hadn't pre-judged him?

In a word, Mr. Madoff's credibility has been torn asunder, perhaps irrevocably.

I say "perhaps" because another former financial wizard that was prosecuted and served his sentence, Michael Milken, has actually improved his public image to an extent through subsequent charitable contributions and involvements.

Credibility is a number of things, including a perception that a person can be trusted, that he is a man of his word, and reliable. Like the boy that falsely cries "Wolf!" if we lose credibility, our words may never be taken at face value, again.

This is a major loss, not only for the luminary that falls from grace, but for people everywhere, that witness the spectacle and consequently become chagrined and cynical.

"Who can we trust if we can't rely on someone so credible as he was?" becomes the nagging concern.

In an atmosphere of deep disbelief, people stuff their money in the mattress, which takes it out of circulation, making funds scarcer and more difficult and more expensive to borrow.

Tight money shrinks the economy, costing jobs and innumerable opportunities.

For the Madoffs and Milkens and all that lose their shiny armor, becoming naked is undoubtedly a shock and uncomfortable. But to the rest of us, it casts a chill on business and on communication when we doubt as a first impulse instead of trusting.

It's one thing to lose money in business, but you can recover from it.

Donald Trump, among others, has weathered the storms of recessions and bankruptcy, and still roared back, largely because he never permanently lost credibility, perhaps his greatest and most enduring asset.

Guard yours, and never compromise it. Because who you are is forever linked with whether people will listen to you, and believe you.