We have a mistaken belief that being truthful means being unfiltered.
Or that there's a tension between being clever & strategic, on the one hand, and being honest & authentic, on the other. You're either clever, or honest; either strategic, or authentic.
Nonsense!
Being truthful & authentic doesn't mean being stupid.
I often say, "Start with the truth, but don't necessarily end there."
Keep going, until you arrive somewhere nice.
Build a strategy around your truth.
Truth is the foundation of what you want to build. But you still have to build: the right narrative, the right framing, the right words, the right tone, the right conclusion.
Always start with the truth; but don't necessarily end there.
Be clever, strategic, and intentional about your truth and authenticity.
Pick chips made of truth; but you still have to play the game!
Truth, with strategy!
