The best time for the truth is before it’s too late. One line can fix that.

If there is one mistake I see people make – and by “people,” I mean everyone from my students to CEOs, and also: me – it’s that we wait too long to tell someone the truth.

“I’m so frustrated here, I’m thinking about quitting.”

“Your performance is so bad, we’re talking about letting you go.”

“I think I made a mistake by going to grad school.”

Why is it that we keep urgent messages like this to ourselves for too long??

The answer, of course, is human nature. Fear of creating an awkward situation. Fear of hurting someone. Fear of admitting how wrong we were. Fear of being wrong, period.

I get it, I get it.

But a hard truth is always better than a soft lie. Because candor eventually gives way to?clarity and relief. You know it’s true! It allows us to fix things or move on. It permits a second chance, a reset, a renewal.

This old truth came to me anew because yesterday I heard? about a woman who accidentally sent her boss an email meant for a coworker. “I’ve got to get out of here!” it said, with an attachment of a job listing at another company.

Oops!

Here’s what she should have done, probably six months ago. She should have gotten into a room with her boss and said, “I’d like to talk to you about something difficult and awkward, because I truly want an outcome that’s positive for both of us.”

I have used this line myself– and been on its receiving end too. It’s kind of magic. Because most human beings love sincerity, transparency, and good intentions. Only a jerk would resist such an entreaty, and you should get away from all jerks anyway.

But that’s for another column!?

As for this one, think of that one person you need to have a candid conversation with today. Then steal my line PLEASE, and go have it. And if you live to tell the tale, drop it below.