Tell the Truth
A simple (but often difficult) communication tip for leaders.
Tell the truth.
It’s easier to remember, anyway.
Energy is wasted when you take a core truth (truth v1) and adjust it to fit your narrative and beliefs (truth v2).
More energy is wasted to take that version and adjust it again to align with the story you are spinning for your team (truth v3).
Now a core truth has been through two games of telephone— one by your mind and one by your mouth. Truth v3 is a weak shadow of truth v1.
Your team will notice this, see the inconsistencies and feel the spin.
This gap between truth v1 and truth v3 is what I call the trust gap. It destroys companies, relationships and will wreak havoc on your leadership and credibility.
Being a great communicator and leader means starting with the truth and building on it to guide an organization forward.
An effective framework for this = Truth —> Context —> Action.
Leaders do it not because it is easy, but because it is hard.