Tuesday Tuneup- #47
The Power of Being Honest and Direct in Business
Happy Tuesday Everyone!
Years ago, I worked for a CEO that was very direct. He would say, exactly what was on his mind, without hesitation. No real concern for your feelings, or what work you had done, or who was right. He was brutally honest about his stance.
At first, it was uncomfortable. I wasn’t used to it. You see, the world coddles us and makes it seem “Rude” to tell somebody you don’t like something, and as a result many of us don’t know how to handle those situations.
However, in short time, I REALLY grew to appreciate the transparency and realized that this man wasn’t being rude, he was being honest.
He was being transparent.
He felt I could handle it.
He wanted me to be better.
I didn’t have to second guess what “The underlying issues are” when I talked to him.
In other words, he was being kind by being straightforward, when the unkind thing to do would have been to let me fail without guidance.
And ever since then I have tried to take the same approach with my teams. Beating around the bush and hiding your real thoughts, it’s how you build trust, make everyone better and it sure as hell isn’t how you form real relationships with people.
Raw emotion is how real relationships are formed.
Most people want clarity. If something isn’t working, it’s better to address it head-on. Pretending things are fine or avoiding tough conversations only delays the solution and makes everyone unclear. For example, if your sales team isn’t hitting their goals, saying, “We need to focus on better leads” without any specifics doesn’t help. Saying, “We’re not closing enough deals because we’re not following up after the first call” is clear, actionable, and easy to fix.
Being direct doesn’t mean being unkind. It’s about focusing on facts and offering solutions. When you speak with honesty, people trust you more. Your team knows where they stand, your customers know what to expect, and your business grows faster.
So, the next time you’re tempted to sugarcoat or avoid an issue, stop and think: What’s the real problem? Then, say it clearly and simply. You’ll be surprised how much quicker and easier it is to solve problems when everyone knows the truth.
Business moves at the speed of trust—and trust starts with being honest and direct. Try it, and watch how your team and results improve.
Make it a kick ass day!
Steve