Teeny lies, little white lies, and big whoppers–do lies have a place in business? Well, pick up any newspaper and read any business section and you would think that lies and business go hand-in-hand. But, what about in your small, home-based business? Will telling even the smallest lies help or hurt your business overall (not to mention, how will they affect your karma?).
When you read those business articles and reports on CEOs who seem to get away with murder, not to mention plenty of lies along the way, it can start to seem like lies are just as much a part of business as profit and loss statements and a business plan, but you are likely doing business on a small, intimate scale with people you know. Not only will you likely not be able to get away with the lies you read about in the paper, you might not really want to.
To be honest, I am not so great at telling lies so that probably skews my opinion about lying and business. Additionally, I work on a relatively small and close scale with people and I need for them to trust me and count on me. I just don’t think that can happen if they have reason to doubt me or my motives. Perhaps it is that I know there is a good chance I can get caught if I do lie–if I say I am too sick to work and then someone spots me out at the coffee shop, I’m caught!
What about “helpful lies” you might be thinking? For example, do you tell a customer that you don’t want to sell her something because it won’t work for her nor do you fib a little to get the sale? Do you tell someone that a mistake is yours instead of theirs in order to keep their business? What do you think? Do you think lies have a place in a small home business or is it better to be honest no matter what?
Also: Dishonesty and the Little White Lies
Complex Lies and Your Marriage