The Value of Honesty in the Workplace

Summary

In this insightful discussion, Steven Gaffney, author of 'Honesty Works' and expert in business communication, emphasizes the crucial role of honesty in the workplace. He highlights that everyone lies, often by withholding truths, and stresses the importance of creating a safe space for open communication. Gaffney also addresses the growing trend of transparency in the digital age, urging businesses and individuals to reward honesty and accept feedback, even when uncomfortable. He shares his expertise, offering tips for fostering honesty in both professional and personal relationships.

Takeaways

• 😀 Honesty is a powerful force in business and professional communications.
• 😀 According to Steven Gaffney, almost everyone lies, with a study showing 91% of people lie regularly.
• 😀 The most common lies are those of withholding information, where people hesitate to speak their truth out of fear of negative reactions.
• 😀 A key to improving honesty in the workplace is creating a 'safe zone' where employees feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and concerns.
• 😀 Privacy is becoming less significant, and people will inevitably find out the truth about companies faster than before.
• 😀 Rewarding honesty is crucial; businesses need to encourage employees to be truthful, even when the feedback is not pleasant.
• 😀 Many leaders and managers claim they want honesty but fail to reward it when it’s shared, leading to a culture of dishonesty.
• 😀 Personal relationships, including parenting, also suffer from a lack of honest communication, with people often flipping out when they hear truth they don’t like.
• 😀 Parents and businesses alike can unintentionally create cultures of dishonesty by not reacting appropriately to honesty.
• 😀 Leaders should prioritize open communication and reward honesty to foster trust and improve business outcomes.
• 😀 Steven Gaffney’s website, JustBeHonest.com, offers resources and tips on how to foster honesty in both business and personal life.

Q & A

What is Steven Gaffney's main expertise?

Steven Gaffney is an expert in business and professional communications. He is also the author of several books, including 'Honesty Works'.

Why does Steven Gaffney emphasize honesty in the workplace?

Steven highlights that honesty is a powerful force in business because it builds trust, fosters open communication, and helps avoid destructive behavior such as withholding information.

What did the study Steven Gaffney refers to reveal about lying?

The study revealed that 91% of people lie regularly, and Gaffney suggests that even the remaining 9% are also likely to lie but may do so by withholding the truth instead.

What does Steven Gaffney mean by 'lies of withholding'?

'Lies of withholding' refer to situations where individuals choose not to share information they feel could be uncomfortable, rather than telling an outright lie. This often happens because they fear negative consequences or disapproval.

What is necessary in the workplace to promote honesty, according to Steven Gaffney?

A 'safe zone' must be created in the workplace where individuals feel comfortable sharing the truth without fear of retaliation or judgment.

How does Steven Gaffney view the trend of privacy decline?

Gaffney suggests that privacy is on the decline and emphasizes that people must be aware that the truth about companies and individuals will eventually come out, often faster than anticipated.

Why does Steven Gaffney view the lack of privacy as a positive trend?

Gaffney sees it as positive because it encourages transparency, which can lead to better trust and more honest communication in both personal and professional contexts.

How does Steven Gaffney recommend rewarding honesty in the workplace?

He stresses that organizations must actively reward honesty to encourage a culture of openness. Failing to reward honesty, especially when feedback is difficult to hear, can deter people from being truthful in the future.

What problem does Steven Gaffney see in personal relationships regarding honesty?

He points out that parents, for example, often ask for honesty from their children but react negatively when they receive the truth, creating an environment where honesty is discouraged.

What common issue does Steven Gaffney observe in companies regarding honesty?

Gaffney observes that many companies talk about valuing honesty but fail to reward it. This contradiction can lead to a culture of dishonesty within the organization.

What resources does Steven Gaffney provide for those interested in improving honesty?

Gaffney encourages people to visit his website 'justbehonest.com', where they can find valuable tips on how to foster honesty in both personal and professional settings.