Developing Leadership Abilities

The Importance of Truthfulness for Leaders and Team Members

Lying? Bite your tongue. No one uses that word in school or business, do they?

The habit of lying to bosses, team members, coworkers, and clients isn’t polite to talk about. Nevertheless, it remains one of the primary enemies of productivity, effective leadership, and team spirit. Talk about it we must, if we envision a work or school environment where people say what they mean and do what they say.

Lying in organizations begins with the “harmless” excuses that just aren’t true. Late to a meeting or work shift? Sorry, traffic on the freeway was backed up for miles. (Strange, a coworker muses. The freeway was perfectly clear when I drove in.) Unwilling to make a last-minute business ...