“Honesty is not only “the first step toward greatness,”—it is greatness itself.” – Bovee
Honesty…. What a loaded word – it means different things to different people. It can be twisted and turned and tied up in so many different ways – so much that it really doesn’t look much like honesty any more.
Dictionary.com says Honesty means:
- The quality or fact of being honest; uprightness and fairness.
- Truthfulness, sincerity, or frankness.
- Freedom from deceit or fraud.
My question is – Why is it so hard for us to be honest?
Because we have stuff to hide and the stuff we have to hide might hurt us.
But, I say to you. ..what if you turned it around? What if you found a way to take the things you think you need to hide and make them a plus? After all, isn’t there a plus side to everything? Even if you have to really look hard for it? Not every customer is going to need your service – but some customers are. Focus on those.
Be honest…don’t force yourself on the customers who don’t fit you…you might win them at first, but you’ll lose them in the end.
Be honest…if you mucked something up – own up to it…everyone makes mistakes – people will forgive you.
Be honest…if you have something to say that you think someone else doesn’t want to hear – say it anyway…practice the art of “it isn’t what you say, it is HOW you say it….”
Being honest is hard work, but it is worth it. You will earn the respect of your friends, colleagues, customers. Now go forth and be HONEST!
