135. Why be Honest with yourself?

Great leaders are honest with themselves.

Whether they are truthful to others or not, they don’t allow themselves to be fooled by their own perceptions and allusions.

I’m not sure if such honesty can be taught, but it certainly can be practiced.

Honesty starts with yourself, as a habit you build from early in life.

Self delusion is also a habit…

We spend a lifetime worried about being fooled by other people when the one we need to watch out for is ourself.

When you convince yourself that you’re better than you are, or right all the time, or that someone else is always to blame for failures, you’re practicing dishonesty.

We all do it, but good leaders don’t get in the habit.

You can never be true to others, if you’re always lying to yourself.

Why would you expect others to be honest with you if you’re not honest with you?

Being honest with yourself isn’t just about not being a hypocrite – it’s about not deluding yourself that you’re always right. True honesty starts with admitting you might be wrong.

Doubting yourself isn’t a sign of weakness, it’s an honesty habit you can get into.

Make self doubt a habit.

“…why would you expect others to be honest with you if you’re not honest with you?..”

Do you admit you might be wrong? Even if only to yourself?

When was the last time you lay awake wondering if you’d done the right thing?

Self confidence is a really important trait, but lack of self honesty is dangerous.

Do you find fault in others or look for the fault you can control?

Are you a complainer?

Watch someone who is (we all know someone..) and ask if they’re negative or just avoiding self reflection?

How often do you seek help?

Even on things you’re good at – especially on things you’re good at. The best athletes all have coaches because they know there’s always something they can learn.

Asking for help is a self-honesty habit you can build.

Do you get angry when you’re frustrated? Does that help solve the problem or is it a way to push the problem away by shouting at it?

Is shouting at problems a habit?

Are there things in your life you believe so strongly that you’d never allow discussion about?

Faith is important, but if it’s really important and not just a wall to hide behind, self reflection can make it stronger.

The same habit..

Self honesty doesn’t replace self confidence, or complaining, or frustration, or belief, but it does temper them and helps you grow. It really helps you if you become a leader.

Why be honest with yourself?

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“I might be wrong, but at least I’ve thought about it…”