Can We Talk About Truthfulness...Honestly?

Can We Talk About Truthfulness...Honestly?


With what seems like a continual flow of untruthfulness and dishonesty from our politicians, the media, and practically every institution, is it any wonder why we have become numb to the whole idea about what it means to be truthful?

"Reality" television shows retake scenes until they get it to a point that will captivate the audience, and in doing so they move further away from the truth and further away from reality.

Whether it is by omission or the careful selection of one's words, being untruthful is the same as lying!

So why do we hide the truth or rationalize our dishonesty? What happens when we don't speak the truth? And finally, what happens when we do tell the truth?

Below is a list of 21 things you should know about honesty and truthfulness.

5 Reasons we choose to be untruthful:

  1. We are ashamed of what we did and don't want others to know?
  2. We don't want people to see a side of us we don't like.
  3. We would rather deny our true feelings about something, someone, or some situation than speak the truth.
  4. We want to control or manipulate someone else or a situation to our benefit or to protect what others think about us.
  5. We are afraid of losing something or someone we value (we just don't value them enough to tell them the truth).

5 Reasons for rationalizing our untruthfulness:

  1. We say that telling the truth will do more harm than good.
  2. We believe we are doing the right thing by not telling the truth.
  3. We think not telling the truth in this?situation is better for all involved (but really it is mostly better for you).
  4. We tell ourselves that (click here for the rest of the story)

Love this, Joe. Always told my daughters (and others in my work and family life) that I can handle and forgive pretty much everything, except lying. Sometimes the truth is hard to give and receive, but regardless, with truth there is no guilt.

Jeff Jacobs

Author, Product Safety Advocate, Volunteer

2 年

Wow, the six things makes this such a great post, Joe Contrera! I feel seen, for sure!

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Shelly DeMotte Kramer

Top 20 industry analyst, advisor, strategist, and B2B thought leader helping companies disrupt themselves and their industries, leverage technology in innovative ways, grow share of voice and share of market.

2 年

Enjoyed this one a lot!

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Jonathan Mast

Director of global corporate conferences and events for Sedgwick

2 年

Well definitely one that will cause a lot of us to think long and hard! Thanks for sharing Joe Contrera

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Amy Tobin

B2B Marketing Expert, AI Marketing Specialist, Storyteller, Collaborative Executive Leader, Salesperson at heart

2 年

I am here for all of this! When I was in high school a teacher admired told me I was "too honest." I thought about that a lot. What he meant is that I would have a difficult time because of my honesty. He wasn't wrong, but, your 6 things that happen when you tell the truth are exactly right. And when you don't, you are ashamed, and shame is a heavy burden to walk through this life carrying.

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