What would happen if you were 100% honest at work?

The Jim Carrey film ‘Liar Liar’ is a favourite of ours, but can you imagine an office where everyone is honest like Fletcher in the movie? It’s hard to picture what work would be like without the whispering in corners and conversations only meant for the boss’s office. Everyone says that honesty is the best policy, but is it really?

Harvard professor Robert Kegan explained in a recent video with Big Think what an office would be like if everyone was constantly recorded and how the dynamics of the workplace would completely change. Here are some of the points he made, as well as our concerns about an honest office…

The Good

– Gossip wouldn’t exist if everyone was always being recorded as the person being spoken about could listen back to a conversation. Self-confidence in all members of the team would be much better as they would never feel like details are being kept away from them and they could trust easier.

– Everyone would be much more in the loop as you would be able to listen back to meetings and therefore, you wouldn’t feel bad about missing something.

– By being honest every day at work, chances are it would rub off into your life outside of work too and you would find it easier to be honest with those around you.

The Bad

– There are some things that should be kept between management and if everyone could listen back to anything, they may become confused or concerned about the business.

– If workers could easily listen back to any meetings, it would encourage them to not bother being there in the first place as they can simply hear what was said another time.

– Lying isn’t always a bad thing! If someone in the office is stressed and even you are concerned that they won’t get their work done, by simply agreeing with them, it will make them even more worried. A little white lie is acceptable in certain situations if it’s going to make the office a more relaxed place.

The Ugly

– We all adapt to circumstances, so although honesty may be happening in the office, would it stop people rushing off to the toilets for a rant?

– Could a 100% honest office actually end up with everyone in tears? Possibly as let’s face it, not everyone likes pure honesty and would prefer to not be told the truth all the time.

– The office would be very quiet as people would have their guard up all the time worrying that something they said could be taken the wrong way!

Watch the full video below.

[VIDEO: 954]

 

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