Can You Handle the Truth?

I recently came across Simon Sinek's quote: "It's easy to be honest, just tell the truth."?

And that got me thinking. Is it really that easy?

While honesty at its core is indeed about telling the truth, my years of coaching leaders have taught me that "just telling the truth" isn't as straightforward as it sounds. In fact, there are two critical muscles we need to develop: the ability to discern the truth and the courage to voice it.

The First Challenge: Discerning the Truth

Leaders often struggle to even recognize the truth because:

• Groupthink clouds our judgment
• Personal and business consequences feel too daunting
• We're emotionally invested in our strategies
• The implications of acknowledging mistakes feel overwhelming

It takes a unique combination of intelligence, wisdom, and the ability to listen and change our minds to truly see what's real. This is particularly challenging when facing truths that might invalidate our big bets or strategic decisions.

The Second Challenge:?Telling the Truth?

Once we see the truth, sharing it requires another kind of strength entirely. True honesty means:

1. Admitting when we don't have all the answers (scary stuff for many leaders!)
2. Delivering feedback that might not be well-received
3. Acknowledging mistakes or misjudgments (hello, vulnerability!)
4. Facing and telling hard truths that others won't want to face

The Real Work?

Like any muscle, honesty in leadership needs constant exercise; yes, it can feel uncomfortable. But I've seen time and again how transformative radical honesty can be in an organization. It builds trust, fosters innovation, and creates a culture of accountability.

So perhaps we could tweak Simon Sinek's quote: "It's simple to be honest - just tell the truth. But first, you must develop the wisdom to see it and the courage to voice it consistently."

Your Turn to Reflect:

• How do you ensure you're seeing the truth clearly in your organization?
• What makes telling difficult truths challenging for you?
• How do you build and maintain your "honesty muscles"?

Be Well,

Scott ?

Make These Final Weeks of 2024 Count

The year's end is approaching, but there's still time to transform your leadership impact. Ask yourself:

• Are you truly maximizing your team's potential?
• Is your leadership creating the engagement you know is possible?
• What could you achieve with the right guidance and support?

Don't let another year pass without taking decisive action.

Ready to elevate your leadership??

Let's talk. Drop me a DM.

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