“Guys, my meeting with Sam Blackstone was great! That sports talk radio show we’ve been dreaming about might just happen,” exclaimed Carl.
Pete, Harry and David were on the edge of their seats – overwhelmed to hear that Sam Blackstone, owner of several radio and TV stations, now knew about their shared dream.
Perhaps it would work out this time. Pete, Harry and David had been right to add Carl to their group – he was making things happen.
Sharing their knowledge and love of sports in a radio talk show was the perfect outlet for their passion. The only drawback had been getting access to Sam Blackstone.
Carl had volunteered to take the lead, and he had delivered.
“Sam said he loved our concept,” said Carl. “We talked about it for a long time.”
Just then, Jimmy stopped by. “Hey Carl, did you tell the boys about being in line at Starbucks behind none other than the great Sam Blackstone himself and how you tried to talk to him about the radio show?”
“Hey, wait a minute,” said David. “Carl, you said there was a meeting with Sam. Did that happen after seeing him at Starbucks?”
“If there was a meeting, a miracle happened after I left,” declared Jimmy. “Big powerful Sam didn’t give Carl the time of day.”
Pete, Harry and David all turned to Carl. “Did you have a meeting with him or not?”
With averted eyes, Carl replied, “No, not really. But what I told you is what I plan to tell him when I do get to meet with him. I know I can make that happen.”
Credibility and trust—so precious, so easily lost, and so hard to regain. Embellishment happens on tee shirts, not to the truth.
3 ways to keep the truth and your credibility
• If you find yourself tempted to stretch the facts because you want to save people from feeling disappointed—don’t! When they discover the truth, and they will, their disappointment will share center stage with disdain for you and your lack of integrity.
• Promise to deliver what you can deliver. Over-promising and under-delivering gets you in hot water, every time.
• Own up to your blunders. Most people will forgive when you’re forthright and ‘fess up to your mistakes. Forgiveness comes much harder when you’ve not been truthful or tried to cover up the real facts.
What say you?
Image source: morgueFile.com
SO TRUE. Trust is hard to rebuilt, especially if the lie/embellishment is as great as Carl’s. As a leader the “troops” will be hard to rally; they’ll think they can do as the leader has done – as you say, just stick to the facts.
You are so right — being the RIGHT kind of role model is critical to leadership success. What the boss does, or doesn’t do, sets the tone.