Dishonesty at work negatively impacts professional relationships and personal credibility, especially regarding communication with a boss. Honesty is valued in teamwork, as coworkers seek trust and collaboration. Lying often stems from the desire to present oneself favorably or avoid consequences. If a lie is told to a boss, immediate accountability is essential. A direct approach to clarify misstatements and acknowledge the mistake demonstrates responsibility. This openness can help in preserving one's credibility and maintaining a positive working relationship with the employer.
"If you lie, they may worry that you are going to do something that damages them. You might ruin their reputation, steal their ideas, or reflect poorly on the company," explains Amy Morin, a Florida-based psychotherapist and author of 13 Things Mentally Strong People Don't Do.
"It's common to lie about a mistake or an issue that could get you in trouble, and it's also common to make up lies about accomplishments in an attempt to impress others," Morin says.
"Go to your boss and make it clear you want to clarify something," says Morin. Say something like, "I want to clarify that conversation we had earlier. I implied I never saw the email. I did see it and just didn't respond. I didn't want to look irresponsible, and that was wrong of me."
When your boss sees that you can be accountable and you're willing to be honest, it could go a long way toward maintaining credibility.
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