The Many Rewards of Honesty

• It builds loyalty in both employees and customers. If you make a mistake on a client account and own up to it, the chances are very high that the client will be grateful for your honesty and forgive you for the mistake. They may see your honesty as refreshing and even feel that they can trust you with additional business. When employees see that their leaders are honest, it encourages them to be honest, too. That minimizes the chance of future miscommunication because everybody is committed to the truth.
• It can help you build a reputation in your industry—and in the business community in general—as a straight shooter and reliable organization. More than 80 percent of all consumers—both of B2B and B2C products—check out companies online before doing business with them. A reputation for honesty is the kind of thing that can have a real ripple effect, attracting new clients who want trustworthy business partners.
• Being honest with potential clients or partners can be scary, but if you can get over that hurdle, it can also be tremendously rewarding. Because so many people lie without thinking about it, your honesty will stand out as something different and valuable. Many of us have a deep craving for honesty, and we gravitate toward it when we find it. It might be daunting to imagine looking at a prospect and speaking the blunt truth about their products or their marketing campaign, but in many cases, you’ll find that they appreciate it and will reward you with their business.
• Finally, living and working honestly will improve your mental health. Earlier, we talked about the effect that stress has on critical thinking. However, lying can also wreak havoc with your emotions. When you determine to be honest, you’ll find that you experience a great sense of relief. There’s no need to cover up lies, whether they are big or small, and you can relax and be yourself. Your confidence in what you say will shine through and have a positive impact on every aspect of your life.

The bottom line is that honesty really is the best policy. When you let go of the need to bend the truth and embrace honesty, you let everyone around you see its positive effects—and your business will flourish as a result.