Honesty is the Best Policy

One of the first life lessons you are taught still holds true today — honesty is the best policy. Being honest to yourself and those around you should be a priority, but can be challenging in the workplace. With pressure coming from coworkers and interoffice politics, it can be difficult to give and receive constructive criticism or even speak your mind.

Sometimes it may seem comforting to not speak up and simply do what you’re told. You may be fearful because you don’t want to leave a negative impression on your boss and company, or you fear that your job will be on the line if your opinion goes against the flow.

My advice is to come out of hiding and speak up whenever reasonable. Don't push back on things when you know you are more than capable in completing the task, only when you disagree or the project seems unreasonable; just say how you really feel. Exposing your true feelings will expose the real you. The more you speak up and the more honest you are with them, the better you will feel about your role within the company and the better you will feel about yourself.

By speaking up and going against the flow, your opinion will be more valued within the four walls of your office. Your coworkers will trust you, and possibly look to you to speak your mind on their behalf. With your honesty in the forefront, your boss will also cherish your opinion more. They will see how you really feel about new projects, office operations, policy, ect.

But most importantly, you will feel good! William Shakespeare said it best: "To thine own self be true."