Follow Jesus’ example (Truth Telling)
This blog is the fifth in a new series on excellence in leadership. Drawn from Chapter 11 of my book “More Than Your Business Card,” it explores Jesus’ conduct as the perfect example we are called to imitate.
GREAT LEADERS ARE TRUTH TELLERS
I know from personal experience that the truth can hurt. In fact, it doesn’t take much mental effort to conclude that truth has consequences. Truth-telling is the cornerstone of ethical behavior. Most people would agree that honesty, which includes avoiding the use of deceit, admitting wrongdoing, and telling the truth even when it hurts, is an admirable quality in any leader.
One of the best examples I know is Henry Braun, the former mayor of Abbotsford, Canada. Braun used to be the co-owner, president, and CEO of Abbotsford-based Pacific Northern Rail Contractors Corp. At a LeaderImpact event in 2017, he shared his story. In the early 1990s and three years after a contract closed, Braun became aware that his company had overbilled its largest customer by more than $100,000. In a meeting with the vice president of this major national company, he was asked why he would bring the matter up three years after the fact. The company was so large that, if Braun had not told them, they likely would have never discovered the mistake.
Braun told the vice president that he knew the truth, and therefore, based upon his personal values, he was compelled to rectify the mistake. Because of his integrity, the customer sent them more business than they could handle over the next few years. Braun admitted that he had not always put so much importance on honesty. However, his relationship with Jesus that began at the age of thirty-eight had transformed his life so radically that he was able to tell the truth—even when it hurt!
Jesus never once avoided the truth. He defined Himself as truth and explained His purpose as testifying to the truth.
Jesus never once avoided the truth. He defined Himself as truth (see John 14:6) and explained His purpose as testifying to the truth (see John 18:37). Scholars, even those hostile to the Christian faith, have consistently concluded over the centuries that Jesus was neither a liar nor a lunatic. In this context, Jesus’ statement that He is the embodiment of truth demands attention since He claimed deity!
Wherever He went during His short but remarkable public ministry, Jesus confronted everyone with the unvarnished truth. As a result, people either followed Him or shunned Him. The nation’s leaders were deeply offended when Jesus put His finger on their motives. On other occasions, His words jarred His own followers when He revealed what was in their hearts, as well as when He revealed His ultimate mission. The thread uniting all His comments was love for both friends and enemies.
In the investment industry I have inhabited for decades, the importance of truth telling is embedded in the regulatory framework. Specifically, securities regulations require that prospectuses covering new share offerings provide investors with full, plain and true disclosure. Unfortunately, not everyone obeys the rules and, as a result, compliance departments are necessary!
There are many today who would argue that we cannot know with certainty what is true. However, by trusting in Jesus, we can know The One Who is truth and He will guide us into all truth!
Image by Gordon Johnson from Pixabay
