idi 324: 3 reasons honesty is the best policy

Sunday, December 13, 2015

3 reasons honesty is the best policy

“Honesty is the best policy.” Have you heard that phrase before? It’s used so often that it’s now a cliché. But it’s never been a truer statement in today’s world. Honesty really is the best policy.

If you think I’m lying, then here are 3 solid reasons that honesty is critical to your success as a teacher:

1 – It builds student trust

Plain and simple, honesty is the key to trust. When you consistently speak the truth, people feel safe to believe you. That is, your word has more value when people know that you mean what you say.
In practice, this means saying “yes” or “no according to your real ability and intention. It also means that the feedback you give students reflects your true beliefs.
For example, don’t say something “sounds great” when you know your student should improve. You can still communicate with tact and positive encouragement. But what really matters is that your input can be trusted and that you’re always “on the level.”

2 – It enhances your reputation

The truth is, honesty has become increasingly rare … which is why it’s more valuable than ever. If you remain honest in everything you do, then positive word of mouth will get around.
In fact, honesty is the foundation of any good reputation. People talk. And when they speak about you, it’s best that you give them nothing but good virtues to discuss. Your honesty will attract high quality students … who, in turn, have high quality friends … who, in turn, are more likely to sign up as your new high quality students … and the cycle builds.

3 – It strengthens your character

Finally, honesty strengthens your character. And that’s no small thing. When you have nothing to hide, each day becomes simpler, because you don’t have to maintain false stories or a double life.
When you make it a point to “walk the walk,” you can easily maintain your integrity. And as Dr. Thomas Stanley has found, integrity is THE cornerstone of personal and financial success. So even for basic monetary reasons, that old cliché still holds … honesty is the best policy. (And that’s the truth!)
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