The Art of Managing and Navigating Truths ??

As a manager, you're often faced with many challenges in your role, but one of the most pervasive and emotionally taxing is the realization that people lie. ?? When I first became a manager, I was taken aback by the sheer amount of dishonesty I encountered. From inconsequential little lies to more significant deceptions, it seemed that everyone had something to hide. ??

The question "Why?" haunted me as I struggled to come to terms with the constant dishonesty. ?? I thought that management was supposed to be about business, not personal matters. But I quickly realized that being a manager is, in fact, deeply personal. ???? The lies people told me felt like a betrayal, and I couldn't help but become emotionally invested in trying to understand the reasoning behind the dishonesty.

One day, it finally clicked. ?? People lie because they don't want you to know the truth. Simple, right? But this realization led me to ask a different question: "Why didn't you want me to know the truth?" ?? This shift in perspective changed everything. It allowed me to disengage from the emotional aspect and focus on the root cause of the dishonesty.

Asking this question opened the door to introspection. ???? Was I, as a manager, not trustworthy enough for my employees to come to me with the truth? Was I somehow creating an environment where dishonesty felt like the only option? The answer wasn't always a reflection of my management style, but it was essential to consider these possibilities. ??? ♀?

On the other hand, the lies could be an attempt to avoid accountability or responsibility. In these cases, employees might be trying to get away with something they shouldn't be. ?? ♂??? It's a delicate balancing act between understanding the motivation behind the dishonesty and holding people accountable for their actions. ??

As a manager, my ultimate goal is to create an environment where my team feels safe and comfortable coming to me with their mistakes or challenges. ?? I want to be seen as a trustworthy and understanding leader. But, it's also crucial to ensure that I'm not being deceived or taken advantage of. ??

The reality is that managing people often requires playing the role of a detective, even if that's not what we initially signed up for. ??? ♂? The million-dollar question is whether the lies stem from the employee's actions or our own management style. ???By asking the right questions and reflecting on our role in the situation, we can begin to create a more transparent and honest work environment. ???? ??

As always, I hope I made you think and smile.

Ralph

Ralph Peterson, CEO The Core Fourteen

"Our mission is to empower senior care organizations to focus on quality."