Does the truth matter? Mark Twain once wrote “Never let the truth get in the way of a good story.” That’s a fine attitude for a fiction writer, but for most of us who work, run businesses, or are in public life, it has generally been considered that being “economical with the truth” is not a positive thing.
Many do it though, to a greater or lesser extent – and have always done so – ranging from a telling a white lie to be tactful rather than hurting someone’s feelings, to the more bold-faced denial of something. We’ve all seen the child insisting they didn’t eat the cake even though their face is covered in chocolate.
Harmless cases above perhaps. But who hasn’t been sold to by at least one sales person, or some organisation, without wondering how much of their story, and claims about their product or service, are white lies or simply wholly untruthful?
In my career as a recruiter I’ve seen many examples, from employers being less than truthful about their culture, leadership style and expectations of new staff, to candidates exaggerating, sometimes being outright dishonest about their experience, job history and qualifications.
The thing is, we’ve always known it happens. In a way, it’s part of the game… can we catch them out? Part of the skill of a good recruitment interviewer is to see beyond what we read in a CV and are told in the interview.
Alternative facts and post-truths
But we are now in an era where “alternative facts” and “post truths” are a real fact of life. Some politicians and public figures seem to regard the truth as irrelevant now. They make outrageous claims, deny saying things they are on record for saying and simply dismiss any criticism or questioning.
Instead, they often just restate their point more loudly and more strongly – it’s a kind of positive reinforcement or self-affirmation – if you say something often enough then you’ll begin to believe it – and obviously trust that others will too!
New companies, and teams in many media businesses, have been created solely to spend their time “fact checking” statements and arguments made by people and organisations, only for their corrections – the documented facts – to be ignored by the culprits, and anyone else who doesn’t want to listen to them.
Instead, they often just restate their point more loudly and more strongly – it’s a kind of positive reinforcement or self-affirmation – if you say something often enough then you’ll begin to believe it – and obviously trust that others will too!
New companies, and teams in many media businesses, have been created solely to spend their time “fact checking” statements and arguments made by people and organisations, only for their corrections – the documented facts – to be ignored by the culprits, and anyone else who doesn’t want to listen to them.
This is not a political post
This is not a rant about politics or politicians – you’ll need to buy me a pint or two to get both of those barrels! But I am raising the question of what the implications of this are for the rest of us who are trying to get on with our work and our lives. If the use of “alternative facts” is seen as acceptable what does that mean for businesses recruiting staff or buying products and services from companies?
Do we all need to enhance our BS detectors and just be very sceptical about everything we hear? What does it mean for those of us in coaching and leadership development who speak about the importance of being “authentic”? What kind of example does it set for young people coming into the world of work for the first time? In short, does the truth matter anymore?
What do you think? Feel free to be as brutally honest as you like…
