A few days ago I gave an interview. While I said whatever I felt honestly, I got feedback that while I may still feel the same thing, I shouldn’t say it publicly. Criticizing people (from the industry in this case) might not be the best thing to do openly. Although I listened patiently to the feedback and for sometime felt it may be the right thing, after a lot of thought, I realized, if I do that I may not remain honest with myself. And that, being honest to myself remains the most important thing to me.
I am not afraid to call a spade, a spade. For this very reason, often people don’t like me or my words. But still, I never understand why should I give politically correct statements? In fact this ‘politically correct’ statement is the root cause of a lot of problems.
I’ve seen subordinates not telling honestly when they see a problem – eventually resulting in business losses. Why? They might lose points during appraisals.
Similarly, another case is, agencies not saying the right thing because they want to be politically correct in front of their customers. Why? they might lose business if they tell the truth.
Sales folks, well, there’s a reason why that term has earned ‘that’ reputation.
And most commonly, politicians. Lets not go there. Those are the people who have given rise to this term after all.
Imagine if our teachers (and parents) stopped pointing out our mistakes or never scolded and agreed to what we wrote/did? Looking back, you *might* agree, the most hated teachers are the ones from whom the learnt the most, provided you had the right intentions and you accepted feedback positively.
Stop being nice and being ‘politically correct’. It helps no one. Not even you. BTW, there’s a difference between being honest and being rude, don’t confuse them!
Like I wrote in an earlier blogpost (stupidity vs integrity), there are no right or wrong answers and you may have your own perspective, as for me, I’d be happy being hated for something that I am rather being loved for something that I am not!
I have experiences with two of my teachers. One used to be always correct(not politically correct) and yet considerate towards me.
Other was also always correct and straight forward but never cared about how his words were received by the listener.
The best of my life lessons are learnt by the former.
Even though that’s not the point I was making, I know what you mean 😉