<p>Last week I asked, "How are you kidding yourself about team work?" From the mail I received, I know that some lights went on in individuals and in organizations as you let that inquiry penetrate. It's wonderful how clear things can be when we let ourselves look at things we've been avoiding. <br></p><p><br>That leads me to this week's working solution: honesty. I don't mean the technical kind, where you report all your income to the IRS or you pride yourself on not stealing pencils from the office supply closet. I mean the most elusive kind: honesty with yourself.<br><br>Does this sound too personal and too touchy-feely to be the topic of a practical solutions column? Slow down. Back up. Look in the mirror. This is the most powerful tool you can use to solve any number of working problems. Here's why.<br><br>As you may recall from grade school math, the first step in solving story problems is setting them up. Next, you need to identify the terms. Finally, you need to notice what operations were involved. Sorting out the apples and oranges. <br><br>Every business problem is a story problem with the added complication that you are part of the story. It's hard enough to get the external terms and operations straight; it's nearly impossible if you are not crystal clear about your own motives, needs, and limitations.<br><br>Too often we approach complex business opportunities or challenges without taking our own measure. It's not just that we hide our agenda from others, we hide it from ourselves. It's a wonder any work gets done at all.<br><br>This week, take 15 minutes to reflect on a problem or challenge you face at work. Set a timer and sit with the following questions at least until the time is up. It will help if you write out your answers stream-of-consciousness style. If you are stumped by one question, move on to the next one, then come back at the end to the ones you've skipped.<br><br>1.    What do I know about this that I'm pretending not to understand?<br>2.    What am I afraid of? How did I set that up?<br>3.    What's my responsibility for this (let the other side of the street alone for now, just focus on your side).<br>4.    What do I want, really?<br>5.    What do I have to offer, really, whether or not I am ready to give it?<br>6.    What's in the way of my being honest with myself? <br>7.    What's in the way of my being honest with others about this?<br><br>Some of these questions may feel uncomfortable. Good! That's a sure sign that you've been keeping something from yourself. Keep asking these uncomfortable questions until you can face the answers squarely. Chances are that other people know or suspect what you've kept from yourself, so do yourself the favor of letting yourself in on the secret. <br><br>Honesty is not kid stuff. It's hard work. When you are tempted to wimp out, ask yourself if you can afford to be the last to know the truth.<br><br> </p> 2008-10-24T16:07:59Z -16.2092 289 2045 true 5 7670 the-best-policy 0 2008-10-28T04:53:18Z 2008-10-28T04:53:18Z

Honesty is not kid stuff. It's hard work. When you are tempted to wimp out, ask yourself if you can afford to be the last to know the truth.

0 2009-02-24T09:46:45Z