Are You One? Even though most people would agree that honesty is an important value, surprisingly few people live an honest life. Little white lies are all too common. Some people lie outright, while others lie by omission. While there are those who believe that ignorance is bliss, others may not take the offense lightly
7 Revealing Traits Of An Honest Person -
Are You One? Even though most people would agree that honesty is an important value, surprisingly few people live an honest life. Little white lies are all too common. Some people lie outright, while others lie by omission. While there are those who believe that ignorance is bliss, others may not take the offense lightly. Even if it means sparing someone’s feelings, a lie is never honest. But lying may be more common than you think. One study found that 40% of adults lie at least once a day, usually in small ways. And even though some people lie more or less than others, a lie is a lie. So, how do you navigate a world full of liars when you value honesty and integrity? Here are 7 traits of genuinely honest people - so you can decide whether you or someone in your life is truly an honest person.
Number 1 - They Have A Calm And Consistent Speaking Voice One of the easiest tell-tale signs of lying is a loud voice. When you catch someone in a lie, they’ll often raise their voice in defense - as a way to establish power. Honest people rarely become defensive when they’re asked questions, even if those questions seem accusatory in nature. When an honest person replies, their tone of voice is calm and consistent. Since there is no possible way they’ll be “found out,” they have nothing to worry about. There’s no reason to lie or make up a story. There’s nothing to hide.
Number 2 - They Come Across As Rude Sometimes Honest people are less concerned with catering to your feelings. They would rather tell you a truth that hurts, than let you believe a lie that makes you feel good about yourself. They aren’t afraid to tell the truth; even if it means they’ll come across as rude or harsh. Because of this fact, you might think an honest person is mean sometimes. If you’re not ready for the raw, unadulterated truth, then don’t ask an honest person. They’re not going to sugar coat a situation or pretend that everything is okay when it isn’t. They’ll present the facts and give their personal opinions, even if it’s not what you want to hear. If you’ve ever received tough information from an honest person, know that their intent is not malice. It’s honesty.
Number 3 - They Are Good Friends The closer you are to someone, the more likely you are to be honest with them. Think about it. You owe honesty to your best friends more than you do to the store clerk in a town you’re passing through. Close and lasting friendships are built on trust - which requires honesty. If you have a friend who’s there when you need them the most, you can believe in their integrity. And if they can’t be there, you know they’ll give an honest and valid reason why. Honest people make great friends. They are not only dependable, but upfront as well - and they’d rather confront you face-to-face about an issue than gossip behind your back.
Number 4 - They Maintain Strong Beliefs If you are looking for more ‘honest people’ in the world, you’re probably one of them. That’s because honest people value honesty - and they usually have other strong beliefs as well. With high standards and a rock-solid moral compass, honest people are firm about their beliefs - and they won’t mind sharing them with you (or anyone). Sometimes these strong core beliefs - and a willingness to be open about them - create barriers for them. In the professional world, they may view a job that doesn’t align with their belief system as distasteful and inadequate. Besides, employers often hesitate to hire someone whose beliefs align more with honesty and transparency - rather than financial growth and prosperity. On the other hand, employers with integrity will appreciate someone who’s not afraid to speak their mind - even if it means going against the grain. Strong beliefs are also useful in cultivating a personal life full of authentic and caring people. These beliefs make it easier for honest people to weed out those who are wrong for their life.
Number 5 - They’ve Got Thick Skin You know what they say… If you can’t take the heat, get out of the kitchen. Honest people dish out the truth no matter how much it hurts, and they need to be ready to bear that burden themselves. So it’s normal for honest people to have thick skin because they’re accustomed to being disliked. When an honest person reveals the truth, it can cause an insecure person’s façade of happiness to crumble around them. As their insecurities come to light, people may become defensive, volatile, and even verbally abusive. Warriors of the truth are just that: fighters. In order to preserve their own peace of mind, they must grow accustomed to those who can’t handle the truth. And often, it’s something that is weathered with time and experience.
Number 6 - They’re Not Interested In Being Popular Honest people are entirely disinterested in winning the admiration of the masses. They don’t desire to be seen as the most attractive, most celebrated, or most interesting person around because (let’s be honest) it probably isn’t true. When honest people do good, they do it because they want to - not because they need leverage. They’re more interested in self-growth than winning a popularity contest. Those who are honest with the world know they are worthy. They know who they are, and they aren’t ashamed of it - even when other people would be.
Number 7 - They Own Up To Their Mistakes Honest people have all these amazing traits - but obviously, no one is perfect. Everyone makes mistakes - but what sets honest people apart is their willingness to take responsibility and apologize when they mess up. You’ve probably encountered someone who’s bad at saying “sorry.” Instead of owning up to their mistakes, they’ll make excuses - or apologize that you experienced negative feelings - not that they did something wrong. Honest people are different.
Those with integrity seek the truth - even if the truth exposes them for doing something wrong. They will swallow their pride and their ego for the sake of an authentic and sincere apology. Telling the truth doesn’t come naturally. Defense mechanisms like blame, projection, and deceit are much easier alternatives in the moment, but avoiding responsibility only creates more trouble.
Hopefully, this list will help you identify - if you or someone in your life - is truly honest. It might also make you realize that perhaps you’re not as honest as you thought… Nevertheless, we should all pursue truth, even when it seems daunting and difficult. The world needs more honesty. If you lie about who you are, about someone else, what actually happened, or how you feel, you’ll only dig yourself deeper into a problem of your own creation.
The choice is yours: be honest or lie. What you choose, will impact your life immensely. What do you think? Do you embody these qualities? Also, how has honesty or dishonesty impacted your life? Share your stories and experiences in the comments below.
