“If you tell the truth you don’t have to remember anything.”  Mark Twain

You may have heard this quote before, but I cannot help but think of how powerful it is for leadership.

Leaders will influence small and large groups of people. Their influence is going to be measured by the level of honesty perceived.

When leaders are seen as being dishonest, people will not follow.
When leaders are seen as honest, the opposite is true.

I remember hearing “honesty is the best policy” throughout my life. I have certainly grown to understand and appreciate the value of this thought, even when it might seem easier to bend the truth.

Because leaders are going to be involved in the lives of so many people, Mark Twain’s statement carries even greater implication.

There is never a need to remember what was said about someone or some situation if we always rely on the truth. It eases the need to exhaust our memories to figure out if we were honest or dishonest.

The result of practicing this truth has lasting repercussions on our leadership.