Page 37 - The Voice of Authority

like admitting when you’re
wrong. Nothing earns Trust builds over time. It
more respect than seeing can be dashed in a flash.
someone’s confidence in It repairs slowly.
owning up to their blun-
ders, decisions, or poor
performance.
There’s tremendous power in being known as a person
who tells the truth. Straight. Unvarnished. Direct.

Give Your Spin the Cartoon Query

Yes, you’ll want to put your best foot forward. But trans-
late your values, beliefs, behavior, mission, or goals into
concrete language. If it rolls off your tongue, chances are
it’s clichéd. Give it the Cartoon Query. Can you picture
Scott Adams doing a Dilbert cartoon with your comment
as the punch line? If so, rethink your announcement, ex-
planation, or message so that it rings true.

Hold Others Accountable

Saying that you reward stellar performance, but continu-
ing to coddle nonperforming Raymond because you love
him becomes a thinly veiled lie. Set goals and standards.
Communicate the criteria or what you plan to count. Mea-
sure. Quantify. Reward—or penalize—accordingly. Do
what you say you will about others’ performance.

Measure Perception as if It Were Reality—
Follow the Smoke

A defiant 15-year-old in an emotional outburst slings this
comment over her shoulder: “I don’t care what others

Is It Correct? 25