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Are You Doing Honesty Right?
Most of us grew up learning that “honesty is the best policy.” But is it?
I have seen too many people proud to “tell it how it is” as just an excuse to just be rude. Full, unbridled honestly can often have the opposite effect that it aims to deliver. Honesty is only as good as the value it brings to the overall goal that needs to be solved. Careful consideration has to be weighed with what purpose the honesty will ultimately achieve.
If someone asks for your opinion on any given subject, it’s important to use an equal blend of respect blended in with your opinion. If the goal is to complete a project at work, saying “that idea sucks” could really damage the rapport you have with others and slow down the success of the project.
Candor is a great personality trait, but it can become a disaster if you don’t craft it in a way that provides positive value. When saying what we really think about a person, our political opinion, what we think of their dress, our statements will either push someone away or bring them closer. Was our goal to push people away so they don't want to talk to us anymore? If it isn’t the goal, then we really need to reconsider how we use our honesty!
