All core values
Trust
Honesty
Telling the truth even when a softer version would be easier, especially when the truth reflects on you.
Behaviors
- Says "I don't know" instead of guessing confidently
- Delivers bad news directly instead of burying it in a longer update
- Admits a mistake before being asked about it
Anti-patterns
- Softening feedback until it loses its meaning
- Withholding bad news to protect the moment
- Technically true statements designed to mislead
Reinforce it with
- Leaders sharing their own failures first
- Rewarding early bad-news delivery over late good news
- Feedback training that practices directness
Honesty is the version of the truth that costs you something.