The Dark Side of Honesty

March 20, 2012
Sedona, Arizona

Transparency, authenticity and honesty are three very important business building tools. Especially when you are working with clients.

In our world, these three qualities seem to be quite rare. And it’s even rarer to find them in one source.

Used together, from a position of power, they will set you apart from the crowd very, very quickly… in your business and your life.

Used from a position of weakness and submission, however, they will serve as demanding masters that forever keep you small.

Sounds a bit odd to say that about three characteristics that, at their core, are inherently good right?

I understand it might sound weird to make a statement like that. But I’ve lived it, so I’m speaking from experience here.

The fact is, I’ve used these items to make up for a belief in my own self-worth.

Here’s how it works:

Transparency can be used to reveal things you are not confident keeping to yourself. The goal? The approval of someone else.

Authenticity can be used to gain approval for the “flaws” you see in yourself. Those things you can’t accept. Those things you need other people to tell you are, “OK.”

Honesty can also be used as a tool for gaining approval. You “admit” something (like a fault or a mistake you’ve made) simply because you can’t accept your own imperfection and live with that imperfection. There is no productive result of your “admission,” except that it relieves your own guilt if it is met with empathy.

The reason I’m highlighting this today is that these three items can actually hurt you if you use them in ways they were not intented to be used.

You can either use them in an attempt to make up for your “weaknesses,” or you can use them for much more powerful and productive purposes.

You can use transparency to build trust with those you serve.

You can use authenticity to instill confidence about you in those around you.

And you can use honesty to communicate that you take full responsibility for your life.

Take a close look at how you use transparency, authenticity and honesty with your clients.

Are you using it in powerful ways to help people or are you using it to make up for inadequacies you feel about yourself?

I guarantee you that people will notice if you stop doing the latter and start doing the former.

And you, dear Reader, will notice most of all.

The world needs powerful people, not weak people.

Today is your day to be strong. And tomorrow… and tomorrow…

See you next time,

Jason Leister
Editor, The Client Letter
Creating Success for Independent Professionals
ClientsSuck.net

P.S. If you enjoy your subscription to The Client Letter, please pass it on… Post it on Facebok®, Twitter or anywhere else you feel people will benefit.

P.P.S. And by all means, if you haven’t picked up your copy of this yet, get it now. I have a pretty good hunch there’s an answer in there for what you’re looking for.