Honesty is Useful

Honesty is far more useful than many people realize.

Let's look at the case of the job interview. First, ask yourself what you are really trying to gain by getting a particular job. Money? Power? Prestige? Fame? Or perhaps you are simply looking for a job that will make you happy. But, you might be saying that more money will make you happier. I'm asking what is more important: money or happiness?

Yes, I'm telling you that you must separate money and happiness. If you are fortunate, then you might find a job that provide both. Otherwise, pick one:

• A job that pays more, but you are not happy working there.
• A job that doesn't pay as well, but you really enjoy working there.

Honesty will help you find a job and coworkers that you are more likely to enjoy. Let's use me as an example. I have clinical depression. I've been through many years of successful therapy and still need medication. My depression is no longer a major problem, but it is a fact of my life. I'm not shy talking about it; and, in fact, I have asked a few coworkers to tell me if they notice anything unusual about my mood. (Sometimes other people will notice that something is bothering you before you notice.)

When I interviewed for my current job, I did what many people told me not to do: I talked briefly about my depression. There were several reasons I did that:

• I hoped to demonstrate that I was honest, that I wouldn't try to hide negatives things on the job, and that I could be trustworthy.
• It explained why, at my age, I had a large lack of work experience in my field.
• I wanted to be passed over if they had a problem with me having depression.

Does that last one seem wrong to you? After all, it is illegal for employers to discriminate in that way. (I've heard all the details several times over.) Since I'm not shy talking about my depression, my potential coworkers and bosses would eventually know that I have it. If they have a problem with me having depression, then it is not going to be as enjoyable working there as a place where they don't have a problem with it.

So, my honesty in job interviews can help me weed out undesirable places to work. I don't want to work for or with people who have a big problem with me.

When it comes to honesty in your life in a particular situation, you need to look at yourself and your goals, the options and the outcomes, the positives and the negatives.