Lies

I have written about this very same theme before. It has resurfaced in my own business life lately. I guess this is my way of blowing off some steam. The whole thing is a sad commentary on how certain individuals conduct themselves.

We have all had it happen to us. Somebody tells us something that we later find out is not true. The person represents themselves as trained in this or certified on this, or an expert in that. We take them at face value. That is how we as humans are. We believe people. Trust, I think it is called. We trust people. Until they give us a reason not to.

The number one way to break someones trust is to tell them a lie. To psychologists, there are many different reasons that people tell lies, but to the person who believes them, it all comes down to the same thing. Dishonesty.

Once we know that someone is telling us a lie, the next thing we do, is to suspect everyting that they do and say. Even though they may have only told one little lie, we start wondering what else they are fibbing about. Was it just one lie, or is everything that comes our of their mouth made up? We just do not know.

If we question the person, they will get defensive. Instead of sinply admitting to the lie, they will usually make up more, in order to cover for the first. Thus the old phrase, "Oh what a wicked web we weave, when we practice to decieve". Some of us know people who have woven quite a web.

As we question more of their actions and statements, they (the liar) gets defensive and may attack the questioner, as if it is they who are doing something wrong. How dare you question my integrity" is the attitude they may use on you. The problem for them still remains though. They are a liar and more and more people realize it everyday.

In business, we represent ourselves to be who we say we are. We also represent our customers. Any little room for doubt is a bad mark on our possible business acumen. I used to be licensed as a contractor as well as a real estate agent. When I was licensed, if I told someone so, it had better be so, otherwise I would be in legal trouble. Both state boards that issued my license would make sure of that. Now, I act as a consultant, and I inform my clients of that. I am no longer licensed, but I still must tell the truth. Common decency demands that I do. Social decorum needs me to. My family, friends, and business associates, just plain expect me to. And that may be why we as humans get so damned offended when someone lies to us.