You’re ‘Too Honest!’

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The title of this blog is what former President Donald Trump reportedly said to the Vice President, when Mike Pence refused to go along with the alleged attempt to stay in power after the 2020 election. (Apparently, the current Pence ‘24 campaign is selling merch expounding this statement). Let’s extrapolate the “you’re too honest” premise to business and organizations.

I have personally lived through major c-suite decisions, where if the CEO used the “you’re too honest “ criteria, it would have been immoral, reckless and riddled with negative, long term consequences. It might not have been illegal, however it would have been devastatingly wrong.

My first memorable experience was sitting in the boardroom of a major energy company, watching a young head of geology propose NOT disclosing data that showed a big natural gas find to a joint venture partner. The partner did not have access to the same geology and could have been taken advantage of. Instead, the CEO deftly but emphatically outlined the importance of being HONEST. If he was unethical, the CEO could have applauded the young geologist for being tricky, and not “too honest.” After all, business is a zero sum game, right? The company certainly could have made more money by withholding material data from its partner (it was a big find, and likely being honest cost the c-suite team and shareholders money in the short run).

Early in my career, I reported to a senior guy who told me not to be too honest on expense accounts. He explained how it was important to all the team that I learn how to shade dinner expenses, to hide wine and other liquor, not explicitly disallowed in the expense policy. “Be a team player and loyal by not being too honest,” he “coached” me. It made me feel yucky, confused and conflicted. Dishonesty is seductive and sometimes easy to rationalize (everybody is doing it).

This “don’t be too honest” thinking and behavior will eventually erode any culture and organization. Perhaps even worse, it chips away at the integrity of each participating individual. It leaves a hole in their soul.

We’re imperfect human beings and occasionally prone to poor judgment and mistakes. However, when we hear someone at any level, especially a senior leader, using the phrase “you’re too honest,” every alarm bell should be going off. Bad things will happen. It’s only a matter of when and how big.

It is important that organizations are clear on constructive, positive values. And frankly it’s easy to glibly throw out a desired value like honesty and integrity. However, we become what we actually do and say. Our action tells everyone what we really believe.

Could you imagine what kind of company or institution it would be if the mantra was: DON'T BE TOO HONEST?

We end every blog with Think Big, Start Small, Act now. It also implies doing the right thing . One can never be too honest.

- Lorne

One Millennial View: I’d like to believe there’s a massive craving for full honesty and transparency. So what’s stopping the potential for more honesty? We can’t demand honesty while also pretending we’re saints. The expense account example is perfect. Instead of encouraging team members to fudge the numbers, maybe the message should have been “we like to wine and dine our clients here.” If the employee or client has a problem with that method, then perhaps that organization isn’t a good fit. If you want the truth, you have to be able to handle the truth, and remember you might not always like it.

- Garrett

Edited and published by Garrett Rubis

You’re ‘Too Honest!’

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