We try to do our very honest best and yet sometimes we realise that we have to deal with a liar. For many this is so off-putting. It is contra to all our ethics.

In my profession as a business mentor, possibly ironically, I frequently come across the phenomenon. When people are supposed to be open with me, they sit there with their arms folded. Their face reads: “I do not need help and I am going to say as little as possible”. Which begs the questions ‘what are you doing here in the first place, if you are so wonderful?

Another type of individual I meet is the manipulator. As I recently wrote, they try to convince you to say “yes”, when your response should be an outright “no”. They want you to believe that they have a perfect business model, when it is meaningless. They want you to change methodologies, when it is a short cut to nowhere.

I like a quote cited by Stuart Palmer. He was attending a seminar, which addressed the theme as to why the international media is often so unfair towards Israel. The participant observed that: “Just because something isn’t a lie does not mean that it isn’t deceptive. A liar knows that he is a liar, but one who speaks mere portions of truth in order to deceive is a craftsman of destruction.” 

And that is very true of what happens in meetings. The truth is used to cover up the lie.

Another way to consider the subject is that while lies can be creative, they are inevitably a sign of weakness. Mentally strong people constantly question “what and why” something is happening. What is the real reason for an event to take place. This gives them an empahtic edge over deceivers.

I suppose that what enlightened me to this theme in the first place was a tongue-in-cheek post that I received from my mother-in-law. It may be humourous, but it makes a point on behalf of the many many many good people around you.

What Makes 100%? What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%? We have all been to those meetings where someone wants you to give over 100%. How about achieving 103%? What makes up 100% in life?  Here’s a little  mathematical formula that might help you answer these questions: 

If:  A B C D E F G H I J  K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z  is  represented as:  1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14  15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26. 

Then:   H-A-R-D-W-O-R-K  8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 =  98% And   K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E   11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 =  96%  

But A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E   1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 =  100%   And,   B-U-L-L-S-H-I-T   2+21+12+12+19+8+9+20 =  103%  . AND, look how far ‘ass kissing’  will take you.  A-S-S-K-I-S-S-I-N-G   1+19+19+11+9+19+19+9+14+7  = 118% . 

So, one can conclude  with mathematical certainty, that while  Hard  work  and  Knowledge will get you close, and  Attitude  will get you there. Its  the Bullshit  and  Ass  Kissing that will put you over the  top. 

Now you know why Politicians are where they are! 

…..My conclusion? The next time you are in a meeting with somebody who may seem a bit suspicious, see if they add up correctly!