Leaders/Managers Who Lie

YOU LIE!
Were the words yelled out this week by Rep. Joe Wilson during a joint session of the U.S. Congress as the president was giving a speech about health care. Those two words had the immediate effect of sucking all the oxygen out of the room and a collective “gasp” heard throughout the house chamber. In addition, those two words, (and the time and place where they were uttered), has created a feeding frenzy among political pundits and news media organizations.

What has been so interesting to me is the focus that has been given to the decorum rather than the substance of the argument which facilitated the out-burst to begin with! In my opinion there are few things worse than being accused of being a liar or even being suspected of being a person who lives a lie.

Lying is “to make an untrue statement with the intent to deceive or to create a false or misleading impression.”

Unfortunately most people do not believe what our government leaders have to say and accuse them of the constant habit of lying in order to further their own political agenda. Also, it has been my experience over the past 40 years that most employees do not trust management or their leaders of telling the truth and nothing but the truth.

We discuss ethics often on this site. It seems only fitting this week to jot down a few reminders to you who are leaders in business, home, family or community. As you review this partial list surrounding truthfulness, consider for yourself the exchange and the substance of the Congressional out-burst. As well, reflect on your own personal experience of “liars” and do a self check of your integrity and perceived truthfulness.

· A half truth or a partial truth is still a lie. There is no such thing as a little lie.

· In sales there is a term called “puffing” which implies exaggeration of the truth is ok, in order to motivate someone to buy. Wrong! It’s still lying!!

· Openly religious people who live different than their professed belief, are liars. The secular world will term them as “hypocrites” which means “actors” not living congruent in action or words.

· Business leaders and managers who espouse ethics statements yet “shade the truth” to get the deal or to stay out of trouble with employees, vendor, customers etc., are liars plain and simple.

· Husbands and wives who have made a commitment before man and God to “forsake all others” yet are flirtatious when away from their partners or visit web sites that are unhealthy and damaging for a truthful & faithful relationship are liars.

When it comes to dealing within your business, communicate often with employees, the good and the bad. Tell what you can as soon as you know it. Saying nothing gives the impression your “hiding something." It may be necessary to call them together and tell them, “ I can’t say much right now, but here is what I can say.” You will build a reputation of an honest leader.

Tell only what you know!! I have witnessed a lot of people who feel compelled to answer any and every question even when they don't have a clue of the true answer. As a result, they talk and talk and talk without saying much of anything. They end up making it up as they go along. If you don’t know the answer, then say... "I don’t know." That’s honesty.

With customers always remember that they are your livelihood. Shading the truth today shows contempt towards your customers, and it will cost you business later on down the road.

Someone once said..."When you lose your integrity, everything else gets easy." In other words, if you find it easy to lie or shade the truth, then you will have no problems with stealing, cheating or any number of things that are not right because your conscience has been seared to rightful actions. Don’t try and justify your words or actions. The means do not justify the end. Our country needs TRUTHFUL LEADERS...Our companies need TRUTHFUL LEADERS.