The Power of Truth
“Whoever is careless with the truth in small matters cannot be trusted with important matters.”
As leaders, exemplifying truth in our daily actions, attitudes, and behaviors creates a foundation for trust within our organization. We know that trust may take days, months, and even years to be fully developed and effectively beneficial for the relationship between two people. Unfortunately, we also know that in just a few short minutes and misunderstood words, all of the work we’ve done to establish a bond of trust can be undone and our connection destroyed.
For Supervisors, this is a critical reminder to keep at the forefront of your mind as you maneuver your day-to-day interactions with others. Our actions, behaviors, and words matter. Being truthful means choosing to be honest, authentic, and transparent, and this can be much harder to do when we are faced with the daily challenges that come with being a leader. Throughout this session, we will look at how honesty–telling the truth; authenticity–being true to oneself; and transparency–being open and accountable are essential components leaders need to demonstrate truthfulness.
Truth is not only revealed in the words we speak
but also in the actions we take.
Integrity is when our words and actions are consistent and aligned.
Self-Assessment: Truth
Please take a few moments to contemplate the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for personal growth in your leadership approach?
1. How do I ensure that my team feels safe to express their honest opinions, even if they differ from my own?
2. Am I transparent about the goals and objectives of our projects and initiatives?
3. Have there been moments in my leadership role where I chose not to be fully truthful? What were the outcomes?
4. In what ways do I practice transparency in my decision-making processes and communication with my team?
5. Do I provide accurate and truthful information to my team, even when it's difficult?
6. How do I respond when I realize I’ve made a mistake or a poor judgment?
7. Do I share both successes and failures openly with my team to build trust?
8. How do I demonstrate authenticity in my leadership and interactions with my team?
Remember, this self-assessment is just a starting point for understanding your knowledge of Truth as a leader. It's essential to reflect on your responses and actively work on areas where improvement is needed. Additionally, seeking feedback from others and working with your ECFL Leadership Coach can provide valuable insights into your strengths and weaknesses.
“Oh what a tangled web we weave
When first we practice to deceive!”
Take a few minutes and read Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes.” While you are reading, ask yourself how this children’s tale of a leader relates to honesty, authenticity, transparency, and demonstrating truthfulness.
Once upon a time, there was an Emperor who loved clothes. He spent all his money on fancy outfits and cared more about his wardrobe than anything else.
One day, two tricksters came to the Emperor's city. They claimed to be weavers and said they could make the most beautiful clothes in the world. But these clothes were special—they were invisible to anyone who was stupid or not fit for their job.
The Emperor was very excited. He thought, "If I wear these clothes, I'll be able to tell who in my kingdom is unfit for their job or foolish." So he gave the weavers a lot of money to start their work.
The tricksters set up looms and pretended to weave, but they didn't really do anything. Instead, they just pocketed the money and asked for more silk and gold thread, which they also kept for themselves.
Soon, the Emperor was curious about how the clothes were coming along. He sent his most trusted minister to check on the weavers' progress. The minister went into the room, but all he saw were empty looms. He thought, "I can't see anything! Does this mean I'm stupid or unfit for my job?" But he didn't want to admit it, so he praised the weavers and told the Emperor how beautiful the clothes were.
The Emperor sent more officials to see the clothes, and they all saw nothing but empty looms. However, they also didn't want to seem foolish, so they all praised the invisible fabric.
Finally, the Emperor himself went to see the clothes. He stared at the empty looms and thought, "Am I stupid? Am I unfit to be Emperor?" But he didn't want anyone to think badly of him, so he said the clothes were marvelous.
The day came for the Emperor to wear his new clothes in a grand parade. The tricksters pretended to dress him in the invisible outfit. The Emperor looked at himself in the mirror and thought, "I can't see anything, but I must go along with it."
The Emperor walked through the city in the parade, and all the people who had heard about the special clothes pretended to admire them. They didn't want to seem foolish either. But then, a little child, who didn't know about the magic clothes, called out, "The Emperor has no clothes on!"
Everyone started whispering and soon realized the child was right. The Emperor was embarrassed, but he continued to walk proudly through the parade. He knew everyone could see he was wearing nothing, but he had to finish the procession.
The tricksters had already left the city with all the Emperor's money, and the Emperor learned a valuable lesson about honesty and pride.
A truthful leader is inherently a trusted leader, and your commitment to honesty, authenticity and transparency fosters trust and credibility in others, creating a solid foundation for effective and respected leadership. In Hans Christian Andersen’s tale “The Emperor’s New Clothes,” there are several reminders for leaders when reflecting on “truthful” practices that can make you a more trusted leader.
One of the best examples is found in the simple statement made by a child after seeing the king: “The Emperor has no clothes!” Everyone eventually chimed in and agreed! However, the damage had already been done and the Emperor was made to look foolish. The child’s actions highlight the importance of honesty, reminding us that people need to tell the truth even when it’s hard. The Emperor's advisors and subjects all pretended to see the clothes because they were afraid to speak the truth, but the child's honesty cuts through the collective self-deception and brought the reality to light. This moment underscores the importance of speaking the truth.
As a leader, you can encourage a culture of honesty by modeling open communication and creating a safe space for truth-telling. You can also seek advice from people who are willing to provide honest and constructive criticism, even if it feels uncomfortable. The Emperor surrounded himself with “yes people” who told him what he wanted to hear, rather than what he needed to hear, and look where that got him.
Remember honesty is an essential part of the foundation of our relationships. Honesty is how we build trust, and trust is necessary if we hope to work successfully with others. In order to do their jobs properly, people need to trust that the information they receive from others is accurate and that others are doing what is expected of them in order to complete the work. People despise hypocrisy as much as dishonesty, and nothing seems more hypocritical than ignoring your own errors or pretending they didn’t happen, refusing to take accountability. By showing that mistakes are acceptable as long as we acknowledge, correct, and learn from them, you can encourage your team to be open about their own missteps instead of hiding them.
“Honesty is a commitment to truth, even when it’s difficult or inconvenient. It is a reflection of your character and values, shaping the way you navigate the world.”
At its essence, leadership is about authenticity—the harmony between what you believe and how you act. Choosing the path of half-truths, ambiguity, deflection, and fake news has regrettable consequences, resulting in cynicism, indifference, disengagement, and ultimately corroding the foundations of trust.
Let’s look back at our Emperor, who, obsessed with his appearance and eager for approval, falls victim to the swindlers' deceit. His lack of authenticity is evident in his concern with outward appearances rather than the genuine substance of his role as a leader. This serves to illustrate how a preoccupation with image over truth can lead to self-deception and an overall breakdown of trust. Despite not seeing the clothes, the Emperor pretends to admire them to avoid appearing unfit for his position. His decision to perpetuate the lie rather than admit the truth demonstrates a failure of authenticity and accountability that ultimately undermines his credibility and authority.
The Emperor committed a series of acts that diminished his trustworthiness:
The Emperor’s obsession with his appearance made him vulnerable to deception. Leaders should be wary of letting vanity and pride cloud their judgment.
The Emperor and his court fell into groupthink, where no one wanted to admit they couldn't see the clothes. Leaders should promote independent thinking and ensure that dissenting voices are heard and respected.
The Emperor’s failure to question the weavers' claims led to his public embarrassment. Leaders should critically evaluate information and be skeptical of things that seem too good to be true.
The Emperor created an environment where the fear of being seen as unfit or foolish prevented people from speaking out. Leaders should build a culture where people feel safe to express their thoughts and concerns without fear of retribution.
Once the child's truth was spoken, "The Emperor has no clothes on,” the townspeople began to murmur and eventually agree with the child's observation. This collective acknowledgment of the truth demonstrates how authenticity can ultimately prevail and lead to a restoration of trust and integrity within the community. Leaders should be an unwavering champion of authenticity, having the courage to be authentic and embrace their part in cultivating truth across an organization.
Ask yourself:
How can I be the champion of truth?
How vigilant am I in defense of the truth?
What actions must I take to preserve the bond of trust which must not be broken?
“Remember teamwork begins by building trust. And the only way to do that is to overcome our need for invulnerability.”
The tale, “The Emperor’s New Clothes” serves as a powerful reminder that integrity and honesty are fundamental to building and maintaining trust in any leadership role. It also teaches us a lesson about the importance of transparency when cultivating a culture of truth.
In today’s corporate environment, leaders are often “naked,” so to speak. However, this vulnerability is not solely due to their own vanity, though that can sometimes contribute to workplace issues. More commonly, it stems from a lack of transparency and honest communication from reporting managers to senior executives. This lack of transparency leaves leaders exposed and uninformed, hindering their ability to make well-informed decisions.
In the context of the tale, everyone around the Emperor pretends to see the nonexistent clothes to avoid appearing foolish or unfit for their positions. This lack of transparency leads to a collective deception, with the Emperor parading through the town in his "new clothes" until the child's honest observation breaks the illusion. This moment underscores the value of transparent communication actions, demonstrating that clarity and truth can lead to better decision-making. In the corporate world, this translates to the need for open and honest communication to ensure that leaders are well-informed and able to act in the best interests of their organization.
To be a truthful leader, make sure that you:
Display Transparency in Decision-Making. Share the rationale behind decisions, especially those that impact employees directly. When people understand the reasoning behind decisions, they are more likely to trust and support them.
Address Issues Promptly and Fairly. When issues or mistakes arise, address them openly and fairly. Avoiding or covering up problems can erode trust. Instead, demonstrate that you are committed to learning from mistakes and improving.
Establish Clear Policies and Consequences. Clearly define policies regarding honesty and transparency, and ensure that there are consistent and fair consequences for dishonesty. This helps to set expectations and maintain accountability.
Foster a Culture of Openness and Trust. You should encourage an environment where your team feels safe to express their opinions and share information without fear of repercussions. This involves building trust through consistent and fair treatment of everyone.
Recognize and Reward Honesty. Acknowledge and reward employees who demonstrate transparency and honesty. This reinforces the importance of these values and encourages others to follow suit.
Remember:
Truth is the foundation of trust in leadership. Without honesty, trust and credibility won't last.
Elevate your understanding of Truth by taking flight with the following resources. Use this opportunity to navigate, uncover, and expand the horizons of your leadership influence.
The Advantages of Telling the Truth at Work
Mary Dowd
Cultivating Everyday Courage:
The Right Way to Speak Truth to Power
James R. Detert
Imagine a Workplace Where you Could Actually Tell the Truth
Lauren A. Taylor and David Berg