Honesty Over Perfection

Being right doesn't make us trustworthy. Being honest makes us trustworthy.

Video from SALT 23 (Swiss Army Leadership Talks), February 2023

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Simon is an unshakable optimist. He believes in a bright future and our ability to build it together.

Described as “a visionary thinker with a rare intellect,” Simon has devoted his professional life to help advance a vision of the world that does not yet exist; a world in which the vast majority of people wake up every single morning inspired, feel safe wherever they are and end the day fulfilled by the work that they do.

Simon is the author of multiple best-selling books including Start With Why, Leaders Eat Last, Together is Better, and The Infinite Game.

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Simon’s books:

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#SimonSinek

[alyssabrown]

Realized I made a huge mistake a couple of hours ago. Debated making excuses but decided honesty was the way to go. And here I am, logging into YouTube and this video shows up. Thank you for the reminder

[TheBestOfLisaRenee]

I was reared this way. My father was in the Military for 20 years in the Elite Special Forces (82nd Airborne).
I’m on time and honest. I joyfully clean with a tooth brush and go the extra mile, because that’s just what you do. Accountability is a way of life for me and is just as easy as breathing air. I’m grateful for the amount of integrity in which we were reared.🙏🏼. However, it’s a lonely and exhausting place to be because few have and those that do must contend with those who don’t. We’re out numbered by far.

[juleshorse]

This is so true and right - trust in the leader has to be earned.

[larisakis]

So true. Immeasurably true. Same applies to any relationship. I don’t care if you disappoint me for the moment - as long as you take ownership and are willing to fix it, we can continue building something together (because I can trust you). But if you lie to me - and how trifling the cause might be doesn’t matter - then the trust is broken, then I can’t rely on you, then next time you speak to me I won’t really believe and etc… next time you wanna be close to me - I wanna move aside. When there’s no trust, nothing can be built together - whether it’s a personal or professional relationship.
So honesty over perfection - always, always, always, anytime and everytime.

[ninaahani]

I love you! I don't need to like you but I need to trust you!

[evasccl]

When you mentioned the two cases, what came to my mind was how we define being honest vs being truthful.
Being honest is not telling lies, whereas being truthful is the actively making known the full truth of a matter, either way it exposes part of the person's character.
Telling the truth is peace of mind for the teller and the one the truth is told to, THAT is a strength.
A granny used to say that lies are bugs with little legs that eventually they always get caught ! 😆 it is true, hence the punishment hits differently! Thank you for sharing this golden nugget!! 🤗

[AEonhoy]

Thank you for being a guiding light. <3

[realgrowncrown]

Trust is invaluable gift we give to others

[OlgaSunny-plsg]

Now listening to your speech I appreciate even more my supervisors where I always can have honest feedbacks without fear of humiliation. I always say I didn’t do this or whatever I am asked, my answer is always direct and honest. And what is even greater not in any moment of time where I was put in negative position instead I am given tools to improve and do better. They are superb and are not only great social service professionals but leaders.

[SarahGoss-kn]

That literally all I have been crying out…. My life has been extra hard because people were dishonest with me an unwilling to have transparent dialogue.

[hanimtokthongsiong]

I concur with you, Mr. Simon. From my perspective, it's acceptable to be untruthful with a friend or member of the community in order to maintain your privacy. However, when it comes to our professional lives, we must be truthful with our employers and coworkers when we make mistakes, providing the real explanation without lying. the reason for this is that it will lead others to react to your behavior and determine whether or not you are a trustworthy person. In any case, the best course of action is always to be truthful.

[itscooldawgdonteventrip]

100% on board with the military on that. They deal with life and death situations.

[karmanshah]

This made me realise that 100% honesty is about responsibility and accountability. It's about taking responsibility. Often times when we lie, it's to run away from the consequences (like the Marine corp did). But we need to take the harder path of honesty and the easier path of lying, because it is ultimately better.
Especially in this modern world, honest people are needed more than ever to lead stuff.

“that I only trust you when I like you,
and if I don't like you I don't trust you”
That hits, because we say lies to make someone else like us
But the worlds built on lies will be fake. Even if people do end up liking us, it'll be for the fake lies. Hence we'll gather people who are not our type in our world

Which is why its so important to not say lies.

[elizabethTK]

I (unfortunately) have the experience to say that dishonesty is also mentally draining. It's distracting, it inhibits growth, it makes you (or maybe just me?) stagnate. Being honest is a physical relief.

[kirkdarling]

Admiral Lowell Jacoby told us back in the 90s, "It's forgivable to make a mistake, but but it's not forgivable to be wrong. A mistake is when you tell me, being wrong is when you don't."

[vialarmsecurityandfire]

I don't have to like you, but I do have to trust you.

[marnamiller]

Failing of churches is this point. You do not have to like a person to be kind. You be kind because it's what you. Doesn't matter if they reciprocate. You choose the Lord's way. 😊

[Octop]

Simon is cool, see his awesome Mandalorian helmet definitely him, now I should send him a Ahsoka helmet to add to the collection😅 an I will attach my phone number😂

[DocaTafner]

People in position of power (even minor) could compromise your whole life for judging you based on the mistakes, not honesty.
I was honest to the core and that is not very appreciated in the corporate world.

What I'm trying to say is that HR, or even closer like a bad leader, could quickly assess your faults without the mature culture of trust. And they have huge power over your career.

It's a tricky game to play.

[LeoYambao]

admit before they make you feel guilty own it and try hard for that error not to happen again?