Comments on: Absolute Honesty: Avoiding Dishonesty Traps

By: Hilary

Hilary — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 09:58:42 +0000

Thank you for a beautiful piece and the comments that follow.

By: Taylor Marek

Taylor Marek — Tue, 26 Jan 2010 06:14:46 +0000

Well said Mark. The truth hurts, but is the most powerful thing on earth and that which people identify us by. One quote I took away from this?

“It’s more important to be trusted than to be popular.”

By: Tweets that mention Absolute Honesty: Avoiding Dishonesty Traps | Sanborn and Associates -- Topsy.com

Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:35:02 +0000

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Phil Gerbyshak, Joe Phillips. Joe Phillips said: RT @PhilGerb: Do you give folks absolute honesty? http://is.gd/6gd4d [...]

By: Spencer

Spencer — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 22:26:12 +0000

Sales numbers?

That one prompted this thought. We start well and seem to end with a fizzle at times related to our numbers. Honesty would suggest that we are weak at best and need support, a mentor or accountability partner to help us stay focused and on track toward our goals.

I enjoyed this article, it was thought provoking.

Thank you.

By: Life After PowerPoint! » Blog Archive » Telling the Truth

Life After PowerPoint! » Blog Archive » Telling the Truth — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 00:49:08 +0000

[...] Continuing my theme of promoting civil public discourse (as opposed to so much of the uncivil public discourse that’s out there), I’d like to promote a blog on honesty that Mark Sanborn has recently posted: Absolute Honesty: Avoiding Dishonesty Traps. [...]

By: Are You Honest? | Catalyst Foundation

Are You Honest? | Catalyst Foundation — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:30:46 +0000

[...] Sanborn offers helpful thoughts on what true professional honesty looks [...]

By: Michael Ray Hopkin

Michael Ray Hopkin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 04:40:26 +0000

Mark, thank you for writing this post today, it caused deep introspection. No doubt most people would answer your first question “Are you honest?” with something like “yes, of course I’m honest.” However, when they start to look into the finer points of honesty — as you describe them — the positive answer becomes less clear.

Taking the time to look deeply into our own actions is well worth the pain or discomfort if we are willing to recognize our weaknesses and work on them to turn them into strengths. Your list of ‘honesty traps’ provides a good comparison to help fine-tune our behavior.

Thanks,
-Michael

By: Mike

Mike — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 22:20:43 +0000

Excellent, Mark! Thank you so much for writing this today. With my head hung low, I admit to some of these ‘lies.’ Probably my number one is vagueness followed closely by omission. My wife asks me “Have you left the office YET?” I say yes just as I step out the front door (or as my computer is shutting down). I know what she really wants to know but I leave out the details.

I suppose it’s much like the pharisees who were so much more committed to what’s on the outside then inside. I encourage our management team to look at the “quality question” more than the “quantity question.” We have to go deeper. The sales call example you gave is perfect! “I made a LOT of calls versus a lot of GOOD calls.” “I conducted four training sessions quarterly versus four GOOD sessions quarterly.” The legalistic act of taking action doesn’t necessarily speak to the quality of the action or the intent of our heart.

Quantity: I went to the gym 3-days a week for a year and didn’t lose a single pound. Quality: I went to the gym and watched some TV and walked a little on the treadmill and made many trips to the water fountain.

Quantity: I read the Bible every day and can’t seem to get any insight. Quality: I opened the Bible and read the first verse of the section while watching TV.

As an aside, we are looking forward to seeing you in Oklahoma City on February 4th. I’m hoping to bring a full group of 10 people to hear your Fred Factor presentation at Crossings.

Thanks again for the great entry today and teaching me a little more about myself.