True leaders know that protecting their reputation is paramount.
Indeed, it is practically a way of life in Politics that if you want to unseat the current leader you must label them "unfit to lead" and that label must stick if you are to make headway towards replacing them.
Of course, in doing this, the next challenger comes along and does the same thing.
The sound and fury is never ending.
Thus, if a leader wishes to remain in power they must always guard their reputation.
Today it is harder than ever to defend your reputation with anonymous bloggers and Internet detractors online that have an ax to grind.
It is very difficult to stop anonymous attacks on one's personal character and this gives the advantage to those who wish to trash the reputation of another online.
What can you do? Well, first you must understand why people attack online.
Folks that feel offended often seek revenge and if they decide to act, it's difficult to stop them.
Therefore, it is best not to offend anyone if you are a leader.
This also includes making things right with customers and addressing complaints and concerns immediately.
If a leader of a company loses his or her public credibility, it also damages the brand name of the company.
Once the damage is done often it takes a huge PR campaign to overcome it.
If this does not work, often, the leader becomes ineffectual and thus, unfit to lead.
At that point they must be replaced and a new leader will try their luck.
Please consider this.