Dean Dreaming

It seems lately that I keep being labeled as a straight shooter from business and social friends alike. Here is one email where a business friend of mine, Des, introduced me to a few of his contacts. He says the following about me;

Dean is a highly trusted colleague, a straight shooter who speaks plainly.

I suppose there are worse things that I could be called in this world. I never realized that I was that blunt or honest with people.

I’m really big on not wasting anyone’s time and I don’t like it when people waste my time. And believe me, there are plenty of people around here who waste my time. In fact, the biggest way to tick me off is to engage in any type of dealings with me (socially or professionally) and waste my time. Lately, I’ve had a few people try to engage with me on various projects and just completely waste my time.

• “Dean- let’s host this event together.”
• “Dean- let’s get together for dinner and talk.”
• “Dean - I want you to do this with me.”
• “Dean - have I got a deal for you.”
• “Dean - yeah, I’m definitely going.”

No where. They just go no where. I’m not mad that these dealings go no where. I’m just annoyed by the lack of courtesy and etiquette that some people show in the process. It’s the process that matters. I can deal with the lack of a positive end result. But damn people- focus on the process.

Lack of transparency in your dealings. Lack of doing your homework. Making empty promises.

Phonies. The world is full of them.

Between groups that I run, business people that I deal with, prospective and existing clients that I serve, and people that I socialize with, I manage to find a whole alot of phonies.

One of the most precious assets that you can ever have is your reputation. Once it goes into the dumpsters, it’s going to be hard to get it back. So yes, I’ll take “straight shooter” any day of the week. I know, I know, I can probably be more tactful at times. It’s something that I try to work on.

Des ends his email with the following about the opposite of straight shooting (note that he isn’t a grumpy misanthrope by any means. Quite the optimist);

In a world of devious shits, many of whom wear that label with perverse pride, you stand out as exceptional for your openness and honesty

At the end of the day, I want people to walk away from a conversation with me and know that I was completely open and transparent with them even if there were some bruised feelings. Honesty and transparency, with a little tact, is a great way to build trust in any relationship. So here’s to straight shooting.