.

Read:

https://www.inc.com/6-habits-of-exceptionally-likeable-people

Glossary

• odds – the chances or likelihood of something happening
• trait – a characteristic, esp. of a personality
• transcending – best
• ambiguity – a word or expression that can be understood in two or more possible ways
• to diffuse – to make less dangerous or tense
• to offend – to say or do something rude which upsets or embarrasses them
• cryptic – having a meaning that is mysterious or obscure
• pivotal – vitally important; critical
• to downplay – to deliberately make a situation seem less serious or important than it is
• to second-guess – to question or doubt someone or something retroactively
• to align – to be in or come into precise adjustment or correct relative position
• seamlessly – smoothly
• to cave in – to suddenly stop arguing or resisting, especially when people put pressure on you to stop
• put your best foot forward – to act or appear at one’s best
• to rewire – to make lasting and usually beneficial changes to the neurological or psychological functioning of (e.g. a brain)

Answer the following questions:

Who commands respect and admiration of one’s employees, in the author’s opinion?

Can some outside pressures or temptations to act otherwise impact our honesty?

Is being consistent important in honesty?

Do you sometimes feel you wear a mask? In what situations?

Do you try to be true to yourself?

Have you ever swept things under the rug?

 

Practice Makes Perfect

Fill in the gaps in the sentences below with the right word:

 

1. To the introvert, a quiet lunch with two peers from the same department will do the t …… .

2. I say “challenging” because this is a courageous, superhuman skill that, when mastered, works w…….. in squashing ambiguity, setting boundaries, and diffusing conflict.

3. But let’s get one thing s……… .

4. Likable people don’t play mental games or manipulate: They speak their m ….. and don’t rely on cryptic hints or other passive-aggressive tactics to get their point across.

5. When you’re honest, you don’t hesitate to do ………. thing.

6. How would you feel if, every day, you said what you meant, stayed true to………. , and behaved in accordance with this?

 

 ANSWERS: 1. trick; 2. wonders; 3. straight; 4. mind; 5. the right ; 6. yourself

 

 Discuss:

What motivates people to be honest, in your opinion?

Why do we lie?

Do you think all politicians are deceitful?

Would you lie and cheat to earn money?

Have you ever lied to protect the reputation of the company you work(ed) for?

Why do people lie on social media?

Have you ever lied because you were afraid the truth will look like a lie?

Have you ever lied in a job interview?

Do you think white lies are OK?

Children who are good liars often grow up to be very intelligent. Do you agree?

 

Explore it more to create your own teaching-learning experience!

We Need to Do More Research on Honesty!

Scientists and philosophers know a lot about why we lie. Now let’s figure out how not to do so.

Read:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/we-need-to-do-more-research-on-honesty/

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