Bluntly

When Should You Say Something Controversial?

We all think things we don’t say. And usually that’s wise, but here’s a safe place to consider what might happen if you did.

In my PsychologyToday.com article today, I list 12 things that many people think but don’t say and invite the reader to do a thought thought experiment: Ask yourself whether and under what circumstances you might want to let ‘er rip?

A Case for Candor

I believe that our lives and the overall society would be much improved by an increase in candor.

So many people wonder why they were "laid off," not hired,or unsuccessful in romance. And don't we all wish our politicians were more candid with us?

And might not America be more successful in competing in the global economy if employers and co-workers gave more candid feedback?

Yes, criticism hurts but would we not be better off, as individuals and as a society, if our friends, bosses, and leaders gave us honest feedback, positive and negative?

And when we get criticized, if, after the unavoidable reflexive sadness or anger, instead of wallowing or lashing back, we forced ourselves to fairly assess if the criticism is deserved and worth the effort to try to improve, and if so, fighting to improve?

Perhaps in urging more candor, I'm being unrealistic--most people don't want to give nor get more feedback.