Most likely you have seen this happen.
Someone builds a career (or a business) upon lies, and then it collapses. One might conclude that such failure is due punishment for unethical conduct.
Actually, deceit extracts a much deeper penalty. Here's how.
1) The liar begins to believe the lies. Then the liar becomes vulnerable to making the same mistakes made by the gullible audience.
2) If the lies work, the liar concludes that it's acceptable to tell lies. Then the liar expands into larger lies. Eventually, even the most gullible people recognize that they are being fed lies. Then, often suddenly, the liar's platform collapses.
3) The liar sinks into a worrisome world of doubt. Deep down, a) they know they are telling lies, and b) they fear they are going to be caught. Even the most hardcore liar has some shreds of consciences left somewhere. These continue to whisper haunting complaints.
4) The liar expects that others are telling lies. This happens because we project our behavior onto others, thus expecting everyone to do what we're doing. As a result, the liar misses out on real (and important) information that's needed to succeed.
5) Eventually, the liar is caught. Then all of the gains obtained by lying are lost. And once branded as a liar, it's very difficult to earn the trust needed to function in any business.
Key Point: Ethics is based on common sense.
Much success,
Steve Kaye
714-528-1300
Author, Speaker, IAF Certified Professional Facilitator
Steve Kaye
Professional Speaker and Photographer
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See: Steve’s Web Site
(Dozens of articles, more than 600 photos, and 165 blog posts)
