Comments on: Can you just tell little business lies?

By: Judy Connolly

Judy Connolly — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 16:28:30 +0000

I’ve been around way too long in business to know it never pays to lie: It either comes back to bite you with the truth or it takes a little piece of your self-esteem away, either way I lose.

By: Rick Munson

Rick Munson — Wed, 24 Oct 2012 01:04:48 +0000

Dave we thank you for a very timely and “truthful” article for all of us at MSI. We are working on MSI culture as we speak. Somehow, a number of years ago, a few began embarking on a path where embellishing is ok. I have learned it only takes one. For the past six months, we have been working hard on changing that cultural view.

The word the MSI Team hears most from me is integrity, followed by communications, gratitude and “the importance” of relationships. My favorite book, on my desk as I write this, is The Four Agreements. The first Agreement of the four is to always be “impeccable with your word”. I like the mantra “the whole truth, and nothing but the truth”.

I love the simplicity in your above message…Be Truthful and Trusted!

By: bob jacques

bob jacques — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 20:44:00 +0000

Insisting on integrity in all aspects of business is fundamental to your reputation to your vendors, customers and employees. We interview our sales staff with asking – “does the end justify the means” and if they believe in acting now and asking for forgiveness later – if they answer yes they are out. We expect both “means and end”.

By: Les Spielman

Les Spielman — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 19:46:38 +0000

Excellent input Dave, as usual. One lie, no matter how small leads to another. When the “little” lie is exposed, so is your entire reputation. As a long time Eagle Scout, living the BSA creed has been very important to me in the business world as well as in my 55 year, and still going strong, marriage. There should be no difference in your business life’s trustworthy attitude then in your your personal life.

By: Charlie Sundling

Charlie Sundling — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:41:30 +0000

Dave, great stuff as usual. But obviously not applicable to anyone in, or running for, a public office. 🙂

By: Ken Lu

Ken Lu — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:32:01 +0000

Or just carrying oneself in a less-than-professional manner. If someone is the representative of a company, he/she is being scrutinized in ways other private citizens are not. The Facebook or Twitter postings need to go through a filter before they are sent off to the rest of the world. The language, attire, and demeanor all need to adhere to the company standard. Like it or not, the CEO’s are diplomats for the company and need to behave themselves accordingly, lest things come back to bite them.

By: Bill Fisher

Bill Fisher — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:30:21 +0000

By the way, very timely article. Thank you for including me in your newsletters. I find them helpful.

By: Bill Fisher

Bill Fisher — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:29:17 +0000

I totally agree with this and have been having trouble “managing” a partner who seems to tell one of these little white lies every time he opens his mouth. His embellishments are an embarrassment and I am contemplating disolving the partnership and starting my own business from scratch over it because I find it hard to be associated with the inaccuracies he lays out. Really troublesome.

By: Dan Hoefflin

Dan Hoefflin — Tue, 23 Oct 2012 17:21:01 +0000

You’re absolutely correct. Not only is it the right course morally, but everyone quickly figures out if you are truthful and trustworthy. Once they learn you will tell while lies to others, they know you will eventually tell white lies to them.

Parents (and everyone) are correct when they teach “Honesty is the best policy”.