Honesty in the Workplace Sorely Lacking

Newswise — When people bemoan the lack of honesty in corporate America, images of Enron, WorldCom and Martha Stewart come to mind. But honesty issues have a significant impact on virtually every workplace in America, says consultant Steven Gaffney. Author of the new book: Honesty Works! " Real-world solutions to solve the most common problems at work and home (©2005 JMG Publishing). Gaffney contends that true honesty in the workplace equates to simple, straightforward communication. And that, he contends, is in short supply.

"Honesty in the workplace is not just about truth or lies," Gaffney notes. "Those issue get the headlines. But the more prevalent problem in business is the lack of open honest communication between co-workers and on every organizational level. This predictable pattern of less-than-straightforward communication, costs organizations billions of dollars from poor decisions, internal conflict, lost productivity, poor employee retention and wasted time dealing with internal problems when they should be focusing on their business."

Creator of the landmark seminar: "The Fish Isn't Sick, The Water's Dirty," Steven Gaffney says that his research has shown, time and time again, that the core of most work-related problems can be traced back to the lack of simple, straightforward, honest communication.

One of the most prevalent issues that Gaffney sees in working with corporate clients, is what he calls "the lies of withholding."

"Whenever someone avoids a festering issue with a co-worker, tells a supervisor only the good news, remains silent when they disagree with a proposed initiative, becomes a "yes-man" with superiors to curry favor, or complains to someone, other than the person they have an issue with, they are being dishonest," asserts Gaffney. And that lack of honest communication can come at a great cost."

In his new book, as he does in his seminars, Steven Gaffney highlights common situations and scenarios, so familiar to both workers and managers. He shows how the core is related to non-direct or avoided issues and, armed with that new perspective, helps individuals address the issue and move forward. His work has earned him a legion of fans and converts.

If you think that Steven Gaffney is a new breed of crusading alter-boy " think again.

"I'm not coming from any moral high ground," a smiling Gaffney offers. "I am as flawed as anyone else. But what I've found in my years of research and experience in working with organizational and interpersonal dynamics in the workplace is that Honesty Works. That's really the source of the title of my new book. When all else fails, try honesty," Gaffney suggests. "Because it works!"

Honesty Works! " Real-world solutions to solve the most common problems at work and home (©2005 JMG Publishing) is available online at Amazon.com or by going to http://www.honestyworks.net.

About Steven Gaffney:As one of the foremost authorities on honest, open communication in the workplace, Steven Gaffney is on a self-described "crusade" for effective communication and has become the go-to guy for corporate America. The president of the Steven Gaffney Company, he is a trainer, speaker and consultant for some of America's largest companies.

Through his celebrated keynote speeches, breakout sessions, short seminars, intense multi-day seminars, media appearances and books in the areas of honest communication, Steven Gaffney offers an effective and tangible approach to resolving communication problems in the workplace " and at home.