It's the only policy.  We have to be honest; we know that, but how easy is it, really?

Sure, you have disclosure checklists and if there's a crack in foundation wall you don't hide it with a storage unit.  We all know that level of honesty (I hope.)

But what about being honest as a person?  That's not always as easy.  Some people are born authentic and stay that way.  More of us have learned to put on a facade during our lives, learned behaviors that are "acceptable."  But, how many of us are completely comfortable just being exactly who we are?  Do we even feel safe being that way?

Here's an example.  Next time someone says, 'Hi, how are you?"  what are you going to say back? 

Most of us say, 'Fine,' even if we're not.  Or, if a client says, 'How's business?' we might be tempted to say, 'Great!'  even if it isn't.  These are subtle examples, but the point is, how deeply honest are we, with others, but more importantly, with ourselves?

Here's the important point - if you are struggling right now, it's tempting to blame outside circumstances; the economy, the housing market, storms and building supplies.  None of that is within our control as individuals.  But, you can work on your own thoughts and inner motivations, such as honesty, with yourself, first and foremost.

Sure, this is a "soft" topic.  Not really a "how-to" that you can take out and implement today.  But don't underestimate the importance of honesty.  And, as Paul Allaire, former CEO of Xerox Corp. says, "The hardest stuff is the soft stuff - values, personal style, ways of interacting...if individuals don't change, nothing changes."

What is your take on honesty, authenticity and personal integrity?