There’s an important aspect to consider when delivering a message or encountering a question. Besides telling the truth, being factual, and being genuine, you have a choice: you can either say what sounds good, essentially walking on eggshells to avoid upsetting others, or you can be honest, even if it means causing discomfort.
Many people prefer to say what sounds good, trying to avoid conflict or discomfort. However, not everyone wants to hear the truth or a different perspective. When you find yourself in this situation, you must decide whether to tell the truth, risking upsetting the other person, or to hold back and say something more palatable. Remember, saying what sounds good but isn’t genuine can cause long-term damage. People who are highly conscientious will see through you.If you say something just to sound good, you are essentially lying. Are you okay with that? Also, when you tell the truth and it differs from what the other person believes, they might get upset. This is a challenge many prefer to avoid, especially in face-to-face interactions. My advice is to choose honesty. You don’t have to be brutally honest; you can gauge how much truth the person can handle. For instance, if someone can handle 60% of the truth, you can deliver between 50% and 60%. Some people can handle 100% of the truth and will appreciate it.The problem with saying what sounds good, but isn’t aligned with your true thoughts, is that you label yourself as phony. Over time, these lies will stack up like books and eventually crumble. Your foundation should be built on genuine and honest communication.
This approach means not everyone will like you, but it will lead to a quality life. Being truthful might mean losing friends or facing rejection, but it also means being respected and living authentically.For example, if you’re honest with women, you might face noise and lose some potential connections, but the ones that stay will appreciate your authenticity. We must learn to say things that might not always sound good but are truthful.You have to be okay with not being liked for saying the truth. People who are used to being lied to might struggle with your honesty, but you must draw a line in the sand and commit to being truthful. If someone asks a question and doesn’t like your answer, that’s their issue, not yours.
In my seminars, I often discuss that not everyone can handle what you’re saying, and that’s okay. You must be prepared for pushback from those not ready to hear the truth. Sometimes, silence is better than speaking. If you encounter a situation where you feel your honesty will not be appreciated, it’s okay to say nothing and remove yourself from the situation. Avoid giving insincere compliments, especially to someone you’ve just met. Let your interactions be genuine. Over time, as the person gets to know you, your compliments will have more meaning because of the emotional connection you’ve built.
Ultimately, your responsibility is not to say what sounds good but to say what is true and aligns with your thought process, regardless of the outcome. If your viewpoint isn’t being heard or appreciated, sometimes it’s best to remain silent. People who want to be wrong will argue to stay wrong. In such cases, don’t fight for airtime; sit back and speak only when given a platform or a chance to speak.
