Put simply, be genuine. Your actions should always back up your words, and vice-versa.
Now, let's be real here. All of us lie on occasion. No one follows through on every single thing they say 100% of the time. We sometimes say one thing and do another. Our actions don't always align with our words.
For example, you've likely lied to your boss about being sick in order to miss work for a concert or some other leisurely activity. Maybe you've lied to a friend or relative to get out of having to attend a social function.
I'll be the first to admit that I've told people I plan to something and fail to live up to my word. In such cases, I've apologized and made a conscious effort not to repeat the mistake. People have done the same thing to me.
A little fib here and there is to be expected. However, if this becomes the norm, we have a serious problem. That just smacks of hypocrisy.
No one wants a perpetual liar on their hands, and rightfully so. Once the lying becomes an everyday thing, you lose every shred of trust you have in the individual.
Compulsive liars have no sense of right and wrong. To them, lying is as normal and routine as washing their hands or grabbing something to eat.
When I catch a person lying all the time or constantly failing to follow through on plans, they lose credibility in my eyes. Eventually, I begin to see them as devoid of integrity and start to question everything that comes out of their mouth.
It's at this point that the relationship is probably not worth keeping. I like associating myself with authentic, trustworthy people. If a person can't back up their words with concrete action, I have no reason to confide in them.
Actions speak louder than words, but words hold their own weight as well.
Do you agree?
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