I have heard it a million times: "If it's not nice, don't say it." I don't think leaders can always adhere to this saying, HOWEVER, I can say beyond any doubt, "If it's not the truth, don't say it." ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS tell the truth, or say nothing at all. Your career can survive a lot of things and you may even see some success at various points, but it will crash eventually if you tell lies. A reputation as a liar is a death sentence for leaders. NO ONE wants to follow ANYONE who is a liar. Your customers will eventually catch on that you can't be trusted and you will lose them. If you are a Pastor, same thing, you congregation will eventually catch you in a lie and they will either leave, or make sure you do. Your staff will also figure out sooner or later that you can't be trusted and they will either leave or begin to be untrustworthy themselves, causing an even sharper spiral into disaster.
There may be times when you may not be able to share ALL the truth. That too is part of leadership, but never allow yourself to slip over into telling a lie to cover up anything. Lies will come out. It may not be immediately, but they will come out and when that happens the seeds of distrust are sown and everything else you say or have said becomes suspect, no matter how right or noble all else has been.
It's not rocket science, ALWAYS tell the truth, or say nothing at all.
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