FIRST, Tell The Truth....Then Give Your Opinion

Business Leaders globally and society, in general, would benefit greatly by heeding this advice. As the old saying goes, "opinions are like certain parts of your body, everyone has one."

Along with the headline quote by Dennis Prager, the underlying suggestions is that truth doesn't appear to matter much anymore and has been replaced with loud opinion which has overtaken rational thinking. Just because you've heard it on Foxnews, Skynews, CNN, or read it on Facebook, does not constitute truth. For the most part, hacks on cable outlets and social media, are speaking opinions perpetrated by political agendas. This is evident in a variety of subjects e.g. COVID-19, BLM, police reform, re-opening the economy, returning to school etc.

It has become routine to utter partial truths or be disingenuous with partial truth while spouting opinions and trying to disguise it as truth. As a reminder, "partial truths", still constitute a lie. In the court of law in America as a witness is preparing to testify he/she raises their right hand and proclaims  "I Solemnly swear, to tell the truth, the whole truth, nothing but the truth, so help me God." Should it be found that the testifying witness did not tell the truth, they could be convicted of perjury and go to jail.

Gossip was once considered an ugly and distasteful form of communication, both in and out of the work environment. Today, it's been replaced with uninformed babble with a touch of outrage and threatening or accusatory language. For example, if you happen to believe that all lives matter, you're a racist. If you believe we should protect the environment, you're a wacko leftist. Both subjects have substantial room for conversation, fact-finding, dialogue, and healthy debate but we never seem to get to that level of communication. People would rather scream at each other or worse, remain silent in an effort to not offend.

The result is, we have become intellectual pygmies, not willing to find or defend truth or listen to other points of view.

There is a desperate need for truth, facts, and authoritative back up to support emotional claims. We've all heard there are two things you should never talk about,  Politics or Religion. Why? Because most of the time those subjects are littered with emotional opinions which causes arguments, hard feelings, and even broken relationships. I will use one of the two 'never talk about" subjects to make my point.

 The other day a person wanted to express to me his opinion on what happens after a person dies. The subject of religion ensued and this person made a few well-used statements. "I believe there are many different ways to heaven after a person dies. Not just one way" or "The Bible is written by a bunch of men and is full of contradiction". When responding with sincere curiosity and inquiry I asked "what is the source or authority you use for saying that?" This person (like many) replied, 'Well, that's just the way I feel". Those types of answers are based on uninformed opinion and are typical when people are trying to make a case for politics, religion, climate change, or a host of other subjects where "that's the way I feel" is somehow a get out of jail free card that excuses the person from offering intellectual facts. We have become a brain dead society.

The definition of TRUTH: "that which is true or in accordance with fact or reality"

For many years now, I have propounded to business leaders that they "educate" not just train their employees. Primarily because our institutional education systems have failed us, and parents are woefully ignorant on matters most important for living and human flourishing.

We have generations coming up who will be responsible for every aspect of society, and they themselves do not understand

> Different economic systems. The pros and cons of each

> Basic financial management principles

> Moral or ethical standards and where they originate

> History

> Civic law and civic responsibility

> Religion..Their origin and individual claims

> Consequences for actions taken by individuals and/or organizations

So why should business leaders take on this role of educating what people should already know, but don't? Because no one else has the platform you have to educate people about issues affecting the real world. Your employees should be schooled in these subjects to prepare them to make informed decisions to guide your organization in the future.

I'm familiar with organizations that schedule communication meetings at least quarterly with employees to inform them of the status of the organization and give product/ service knowledge. But these organizations need to expand those meeting agendas to discuss some of the above-mentioned topics along with current events and the impact those events might have on your organization.

My counsel to managers over the years on communicating is simple.

1. Tell it all

2. Tell it your self

3. Tell it now

We truly are in danger of losing the foundation of the greatest human experiment in history, the U.S.A. 

Why? Because we have strayed away from Truth.

 Set the ground rules in your information meetings for presenters and attendees which includes a) all opinions are welcome, b) they should be backed up with "fact".

First, tell the Truth, then give your opinion so that as an organization and country we can.....

Finish Well