In all the media frenzy over the Sony hacking scandal, one story concerning actress Amy Adams caught my attention. In case you missed it, Amy was scheduled to appear on NBC’s Today show to promote her latest film, “Big Eyes” (which earned her a Golden Globe this past Sunday).

While waiting backstage, she was informed that she’d be asked on-air about the Sony debacle. She was part of the story because hacked emails revealed she was paid less than her male co-stars for the movie “American Hustle.”

She told producers she didn’t want to contribute to the media coverage of the hacking.

“I expressed that I was uncomfortable,” she told USA Today. “I said I would rather not add my voice to this conversation. “(But) it was clear they were drawing a hard line, that this would be part of the conversation.”

I was impressed by her use of the word “uncomfortable,” as it’s one of those I teach people to use as part of the DEAL™, my system for successfully engaging in difficult conversations.

But apparently, producers were unmoved. They abruptly cancelled her appearance, reportedly an unprecedented move. Film studio exec Harvey Weinstein, whose company is distributing Amy’s latest movie, has raised a ruckus, calling for a formal apology or at least an independent investigation into the cancellation. While an investigation strikes me as over-the-top, I like that Amy stood in her truth and refused to get involved in the conversation about the hacking. In our own day-to-day lives, it can be challenging to stand strong and speak our truth, especially when pressured by others.

I also respect that Amy chose to maintain silence around the salary discrepancy before confirming and speaking directly with the source. Often, in the heat of the moment, we give vent to our emotions and forget to be respectful – what I call speaking our mind, not our truth.

And in Amy’s case, how wonderful the truth came out. So while Harvey continues negotiating with Today over an apology, it’s time for Amy to also leverage this moment to negotiate with movie executives about her salary.

Perhaps in the New Year, you can choose to take a cue from this actress to stand in your truth and DEAL™ with challenging situations with awareness and grace.

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