From a young age we are taught that honesty is the best policy. Unfortunately, I have found that during the course of my interesting
- Consider all that you know about a person who is asking you a question or wanting you to express your opinion. Some people are just not good at accepting criticism or considering a viewpoint that is different from their own. Almost without exception, you can be honest to a degree with these individuals, but you may need to do so with a filter. It is important to note that the way in which you communicate your “honest thoughts and opinions” is as important as what you are saying.
- Conduct a quick cost/benefit analysis as to the degree of honesty you wish to convey when you are offering your expertise or expressing opinion regrading a topic which you know will conflict with the views of your audience. At times being completely honest in the right situation can be a career defining moment, and at other times too much “unfiltered” honesty can lead to a career set-back.
- When in doubt “tone down” your level of honesty, turn-up your own verbosity filter, and chose your words carefully. Brutal honesty may be the right way to go at times, but must be delivered with caution.
- When emotion enters the conversation take a minute to gather yourself before you unleash your honest point of view. Emotions have a way of destroying anyone’s honesty filter. Once certain things are said (often in the heat of an emotional moment) they just can’t be taken back.
- Never let your career change who you are as a person in terms of your honesty and integrity. If you are by nature an honest person and you are in job or career that requires you to “keep it to yourself” on a regular basis then you should consider a new career path.
As we teach our children and business colleagues that honesty is the best policy we may want to qualify what we mean by honesty, and explain the impacts that being completely honest without a filter can have on their lives. Being honest is a skill and art, but we should never let it be acceptable to have an absence of honesty (dishonesty) rule in any business situation..
I invite others to share their best practices in the art of being honest, and stories where honesty has negatively or positively impacted their careers.