Benefits of telling the truth

A boss desires employees who are honest and trustworthy. In turn, employees benefit from having a boss who is transparent and upfront when sharing information.

Performance evaluations, for example, provide an opportunity to candidly discuss employee accomplishments and areas needing improvement. Honest appraisals benefit employees by letting them know what goals they need to reach to be successful. The boss benefits from having productive teams.

Trust breaks down when there is a disconnect between words and behavior. If employees get the message that they are supposed to act happy and upbeat no matter what is happening around them, important issues that need attention get buried. When everyone acts like everything is fine despite obvious problems, employees are left feeling confused and unsure of anything. Kindness should accompany truthfulness, or the results can be disastrous. In other words, truthfulness is not a virtue when used to put down another person. For example, pointing out how a coworker’s sales record is slipping, while bragging about your record-setting month is mean-spirited, even if the statement is absolutely true.

Self-serving disclosures typically lack tact and diplomacy. Bluntly telling the truth as you see it can backfire, according to Inc.com. For example, giving someone a piece of your mind may reveal how you truly feel, but your unfiltered words and accusations could irreparably damage a relationship. Similarly, telling the truth doesn’t mean subjecting coworkers to an unfettered soliloquy that shuts down dialogue.

Strive for sensitivity and compassion when presenting information that may be difficult for another person to hear, such as describing performance issues that must be corrected. Speaking your truth also requires an openness to hearing others speak their truth. Listen without interrupting if your perceptions are challenged.

There will be times when you need to share information that you know will be upsetting or disappointing. Truthfulness shows others that you respect their feelings and will tell them the truth even under difficult circumstances. Being upfront says you trust others to handle the truth even if it means major changes, such as demotion, unrequested transfer, layoff or possible termination if improvements aren’t seen.

Hard feelings result when someone hears information via the grapevine that should have come directly from you. When difficult subjects are avoided, rumors can spread. Often, fear of the unknown causes more anxiety than knowing the truth. Hearing the truth aids employees by allowing them to plan and prepare for what lies ahead.

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