Honesty, speaking and acting truthfully, is more than not lying, deceiving, stealing, or cheating. It entails showing respect towards others and having integrity and self-awareness. 

Honesty is the foundation for trust and key in social relationships; it gives us hope, confidence, compassion and improves decision-making.

3 Reasons Why Honesty Matters
1. Honesty can improve mental and physical health. On the other hand, dishonesty can increase blood pressure and heart rate and lead to other adverse health consequences.

2. Honest yet compassionate, communication promotes openness and trust and is fundamental for functioning social and intimate relationships. (Self) honesty – to be truthful to ourselves – is essential in building confidence, integrity, and self-awareness. These are protective factors against substance use and other risky behavior.

3. There is a neurophysiological difference between deception and truth at the brain activation level, contributing to a stress reaction when we are dishonest.

Things To Do To Demonstrate Honesty

• Think before you speak.
• Say what you mean and mean what you say.
• Bend over backward to communicate in an open and honest fashion.
• Simplify your statements so that everyone clearly understands your message.
• Tell it like it is, rather than sugarcoating it.
• Present both sides of each issue to engender objectivity.
• If you have a personal bias or a conflict of interest, make it known.
• Tell people the rationale behind your decisions so that your intent is understood.
• If something is misinterpreted, quickly correct the record.
• Don’t shoot the messenger when someone tells you the truth. Thank them for their honesty and treat the information provided as a gift.
• Willingly accept responsibility by admitting a mistake or an error in judgment — in a timely fashion.
• Hold people accountable when their words do not match their actions.
• Never compromise your integrity and reputation by associating yourself with people whose standards of integrity you mistrust.

Did You Know?
Open communication, including active listening, is key to nurturing honesty in children and youth.