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Do You Talk Straight?
In your personal and professional conversations with others have you ever: beat around the bush, left out some of the details, exaggerated for your benefit, hemmed and hawed, or spun the truth?
What were the consequences of those actions? How did you feel? How do you think the other person felt?
Would it be safe to say that the other person wants to be told the truth with no spin attached? In the same vein, the truth is what you want to hear, is it not?
Talking straight is "honesty in action" according to Stephen M. R. Covey. "It's based on the principles of integrity, honesty, and straightforwardness," he continued.
You might be able to fool some of the people some of the time, but over time, you are caught. Remember the Hans Christian Anderson story of the Emperor's New Clothes? The young child who called out "But he isn't wearing anything at all" knew the truth. And soon, everyone else did.
And so it is in life.
Covey summarizes the means by which you can talk straight:
Be honest.
Tell the truth.
Let people know where you stand.
Call things what they are.
Demonstrate integrity.
Don't manipulate people or distort facts.
Don't spin the truth.
Don't leave false impressions.
Fess up. Spell it out. Remove the spin. "I tried to solve this problem all by myself so that I could get all the glory, however I realized I needed your help. I've wasted precious time because of my ego." "Janet, you have been asked on five separate occasions to take care of these specific duties before you leave each day. They are not getting done. If I have to say something again it will be to ask you to find a new job." "I will tell you all the specifics and give you plenty of discussion time so that you can decide if you want to pass this or not."
Pay attention to how you are talking and how those around you are responding. Talking straight with one another is critical because it builds trust - the foundation of any relationship. Don't miss out on that trust.
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