#Truth January 19

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One great movie scene of all times is from the 1992 film “A Few Good Men“. What makes it unforgettable is a line about the TRUTH.

Jack Nicholson in the role of Marine Col. Nathan Jessep has an outburst towards Lt. Daniel Kaffee played by Tom Cruise. Colonel Jessep angrily responds to Lt Kaffee question “I want the TRUTH”. Kaffee is prosecuting him in a court martial case. Jessep in a loud voice responds, “You Can’t Handle TRUTH” .

Past posts have shared my thoughts about the people we spend our time with. There is study after study that has revealed we will elevate our character and sharpen values or conversely lower them by the people we associate with.

Having A Truth Teller in Your Life

Some leadership experts have emphasized that our network of people is really our true net worth. One type of individual we all should consider having in that network is TRUTH Teller. The TRUTH Teller tells us what we need to hear, not what we want to. Last week I shared a leadership lesson from John Madden. He stated that

“Leaders have to watch for what they don’t want to see and listen to what they don’t want to hear”.

It takes courage to be a TRUTH Teller. Yet, it can be argued that it is more heroic to listen and embrace a truthful message. Our problem is most of us are conditioned to kill the messenger so we can discount the TRUTH and hold steadfast to our perspective of reality. Listening to the TRUTH means we have to change. Uh oh!

When you discover someone in your circle is filled with unconditional love, grace, and no personal agenda it should give you pause. That just might be the TRUTH Teller you need to make sure has a prominent place in your network. Hoping you “Can Handle That Truth”.