Disclaimer, lying is a terrible quality to have, but, it can be good sometimes. Little white lies can actually help out a friend or save someone’s feelings from getting hurt.
We have all heard the saying that honesty is the best policy, but in actuality, it isn’t always the most appropriate one. At times, white lies can not only help you, but help everyone. Here are 5 situations where blunt honesty might not be the best move to make:
When you get asked to constructively critique someone’s work, honestly.
When you see a co-worker struggling to slightly improve their work efforts, it is fine to give some helpful tips. However, in the event that their work needs some serious changes, don’t lay it all out on them at once, no matter how apparent it is. Feel free to give them light feedback, talk about the good qualities of their work, and suggest some improvement. Think about a few key points beforehand and, eventually, let it sit with them. You’ll not only be doing your associate a favor, but you’re helping out yourself in more ways than you think.
When your boss seeks genuine approval.
Let’s not forget that bosses are also humans, meaning they can and more often than not, have their own insecurities. Employees are practically obliged to laugh at our bosses lame, recurring jokes time after time. However, when asked for advice or reassurance in the workplace, you’re better of keeping your constructive suggestions to yourselves. Yes, of course boss Jane looks bizarre with her new haircut, but when she asks you for your opinion on the way it looks, know she’s looking for a confidence booster before an important meeting. This is how your little white lie will go a long way for you and the entire business.
When applying for a new job.
Nobody at work, not even your office bestie, needs to know about your hunt for a new job. Unless, of course, you’re comfortable with the entire office finding out. The fact of the matter is that things can turn pretty sour pretty quickly when office gossip turns into your early resignation letter since you were already quitting in any case. While still working, don’t let other colleagues know about your job searching plans. You don’t want to be excluded or dismissed from major projects just because you’re looking for another way to make money. Exploring all of your options doesn’t mean you should explore all of its negative consequences.
When protecting a colleague.
We’ve all experienced the situation where your manager grows upset and continues to ask particular employees to throw a couple of other co-workers under the bus, but no matter how tempting it seems, just don’t do it! Even though you saw Dylan mess up, don’t admit to anything; rather you can say you don’t remember the exact details but will try to ensure it doesn’t happen twice. Your boss doesn’t need to know everyone’s business, especially when it isn’t your own. Also, being a tattletale can come back and bite you.
Honesty can be a consequential policy.
Trust your instincts. Especially when they’re telling you that your boss might feel a little uneasy with the truth. This is the time when telling a little white lie is perfectly okay. For example, when your boss asks you to share your personal opinions on, say, politics or religion, you do NOT have to answer honestly. Especially if you have heard on the grapevine that your boss disagrees with your opinions. As an employee, you have every right to keep your personal life private, especially when professional consequences are potentially at play. If you know that your boss is the type of employer to shoot the messenger, make sure that it isn’t you.