Honesty is key when it comes to being good to work with. Honesty builds trust in relationships and trust is the absolute foundation to high performing and creative teams. Patrick Lencioni cites Trust as the first vital layer to team success. Being honest also shows people that you have integrity. Being honest with yourself and others means living and working with authenticity. It communicates to people that you are not afraid to speak up or to disagree or challenge so as to create the best outcome. Being honest with your colleagues helps them feel safe as they know you won’t be lying to them or gossiping behind their backs. When people find you honest, they will feel secure, and when people feel secure with you, they will risk bringing more ideas and more of themselves.
Creating a Safe Space Through Honesty
When you are honest with people you may well be giving them an unexpected gift. Many company cultures are highly focussed on being ‘nice.’ But being nice isn’t always ‘kind.’ If we don’t hear honest feedback we can’t grow and evolve and that means we miss out on opportunities.
Over the years, we have noticed that 4D coaching clients really appreciate the honest feedback we give.
Embracing Honest Feedback: The Path to Growth and Empowerment
From a place of high support and care, we carefully hold up a mirror to our clients, allowing them to see their own part in a difficult dynamic. Far from being unkind, this honesty means those individuals now have some control and choice to make changes. One fabulous 4D coaching client had a company 360 done. The feedback and comments were very direct. It was a real punch to the gut. This individual listened to this very honest feedback with grace and courage. Yes, is was a tough moment. And it was also a wonderful turning point. This client has gone on to achieve the VP promotion she had longed for. Because with the honesty of her colleagues came the empowerment to take charge, make changes and shift their leadership profile and narrative to one that would drive them to success.
Inspiration for Honest Mindsets
Tips to Improve Honesty in the Workplace
Honesty starts with being honest with yourself. Is there something you haven’t said that you know you should have said? The sooner you can demonstrate honesty in relationship the more people will immediately love working with you.
Tip: You can support an ‘honest attitude’ by clearly stating your INTENTION. So that your honesty is not seen as criticism but as a wider and deeper intention to speak openly and build trust.
Eg. I want to be honest with you and my intention is 100% to strengthen our creative partnership or my intention is absolutely to make sure we make the best use of our time and energy.
Think of a challenging situation or relationship. Put your emotions aside for a moment and connect to a deeper intention.
Now complete this phrase: “I want to be honest with you and my intention is to…..”
When could you start an HONEST conversation with this opening line?
4D Personal Profile Series
We’re thrilled to introduce the latest 4D OnDemand Series: the Personal Profile Series. Focusing on self-reflection and what it means to be good to work with, this series offers the perfect training solution for you, your team, and your organisation. It provides the language, tools, and tips to help you take control of your personal and professional narrative—both in person and online—so that the way you present yourself, and how others perceive you, maximises your opportunities, connections, and success.
Explore our training programmes on Confidence and Impact, Leadership Development, and Executive Coaching to help you make a lasting impression today.
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And don’t forget to tune in to the 4D Human Being Podcast for in-depth discussions on CHARM and other essential topics to enhance your personal and professional life.
With love,
The 4D Team x