Benefits of Telling the Truth

Everyone battles with the truth at times. Like when your best friend asks if her new hairstyle fits her face or when she wants to know if you can tell that she's put on some extra weight. Chances are, you would answer with an empathetic "no," even if the answer should be a resounding "yes." If you are stretching the truth to spare the feelings of someone you care about, it can work in your favor. Still, there are even more benefits when you actually do tell the truth.

Builds Relationships

When put in certain situations, you may be afraid to be honest. Yet the truth may actually be rewarding. For example, maybe you had a troubled childhood, and as a result, you are not close to your mother or father, but your fear of looking bad prevented you from sharing your childhood experiences with your significant other. Now say a big holiday is approaching, like Thanksgiving, and your mate asks you to invite your immediate family. If you made up a lie to avoid telling your girlfriend the real reason you do not want to invite your parents, the fabrication may cause your girlfriend to believe she is the reason you do not want to invite your family. Part of the reason telling the truth is so difficult is because it involves telling someone something they may not want to hear, according to Truth About Deception, an online relationship resource. Even though telling your truth may be uncomfortable, it could possibly strengthen your relationship.

Builds Integrity

In the workplace, you cannot get your colleagues to trust you if are not always honest. Integrity eventually earns you respect and esteem in the workplace. When you continuously fulfill your promises, others will know that they can take you at your word. So if you promise to do something, like finish a proposal for your boss or lock the office up when you leave, your employer does not have to worry about the task being left uncompleted.

You Don't Not Have To Tell Two Lies

When you tell a lie, you may need to tell an additional lie to cover for the first fallacy. If you had just told the truth in the first place, you would not have to create a trail of deception. The truth only requires you to remember one thing--what actually happened. Being honest is much easier than constructing fabrication. For example, if you promised your wife you would be home by midnight, but you really wanted to stay out with the guys until all the festivities end, don't create a sudden "car trouble" tale to buy yourself extra time, just tell her you will be late. Your honesty may not receive a welcomed response, but at least you do not have to remember the "car problem" that allegedly prevented you from making it home on time.

References

• Truth About Deception
• Woman.ca: Stretching The Truth

Resources

• All Business: Integrity In The Workplace