Candor - An Important Business Secret

We are trained from birth to not fully express our thoughts, opinions and ideas when they contradict either direct or slightly another persons opinion. "If you don't have something nice to say, don't say it at all", is a common statement that we grow up hearing. This suppression of candor only serves to impede progress on a personal and business level. After all, how can progress be made if everyone is always in agreement. The truth is, it is far more easy to agree with the crowd and tell someone they do not look fat in that dress than it is to tell the truth. However, what is the business accomplishing and how have you motivated that individual to look better in her dress if you constantly agree.

In a business or personal setting many experience and inexperienced individuals will often take offense to someone expressing their opinion. They will feel as though the persons disagreement is a personal attack on their ideas. This thought however is completely off the mark and shows how deeply ingrained and unproductive our childhood teachings can be when they manifest themselves. Heated discussion will lead to new thoughts and ideas and motivations and must be encouraged. Candor is necessary for us to grow in business and in our daily personal development.

I implore you to institute candor into your daily lives. Let people freely express themselves and not fear admonishment on your part because you do not agree with them. We intrinsically want to succeed in business and life and in most cases will not undermine our own progress. The great leaders have demanded of their staff and family alike the use of candor for progress. It's time we all do the same.