Better! Results Idea #4: Demand Truth

The November 2014 mid-term elections in the US were finished and the west coast polling places had closed a few minutes before. The talking head commentator on the TV stared into the camera with smug confidence on his face, and made a statement that was an outright lie. A falsehood. A fabrication. A twisting of the facts to support a conclusion reached long before an analysis of the facts was even physically possible.

And the sad part is, thousands – perhaps millions – of viewers listened, digested, and believed what they heard. With no interest in first verifying facts.

This is the power of those in positions of influence. Broadcasters, leaders in politics and religion, corporate executives. Even parents. What they say, we often take as fact, even when they are wrong.

This issue strikes at the very heart of my work. Simply because to succeed, to move forward, to get useful input and feedback, and to make effective decisions you must have sources of truth. You must have honest experts who can assist you, concerned coaches who will nudge you along the better path, and a personal and professional support team of individuals you can rely on to tell you the truth.

I write about this critical foundation issue in my book “Do What You Can!”

Having sources where you find absolute truth is critical to your ability think realistically, evaluate options and capabilities, make accurate decisions about what you can accomplish, and create an action plan for positive change.

How honest are you about yourself? What are your most reliable sources of honest feedback?

Do your best to have truth in your thinking, your skills, your data, and the measurement of your results. Find and face truth.

Eliminate the lies you tell yourself along with the payoffs you believe you get from accepting deception.

That’s strong language and raw advice. But this isn’t an issue where sugarcoated phrasing holds any value.

To move forward, to successfully and confidently pursue our worthy business and life goals, it’s absolutely critical that you and I find, cultivate and listen to our sources of truth.

Don’t accept less than truth from others. Don’t accept less than truth in your own thinking, decisions and actions. Be truth. Demand truth.

John J. Hall, CPA

John J. Hall, CPA, is an author, speaker and results expert who presents around the world at conventions, corporate meetings and association events. Throughout his 35-year career as a business consultant, corporate executive and professional speaker, John has helped organizations and individuals achieve measurable results. He inspires audience members in corporations, not-for-profit organizations and professional associations to step up, take action and “do what you can.”