The presentation got off to a predictable start. Taken in isolation, there was nothing particularly unusual. The format is set. The outline was predictable. The approach appeared logical. As I settled back to listen, I was sure I knew how things would go.
“Excuse me, may I interrupt? I am not sure what I am listening to. Can you explain the content and purpose of the presentation?”
As the leads fumbled for their answer, my mind was on full alert. I had heard their speech before. While I have contrarian views, I have never heard anyone react this bluntly.
Turning to a colleague, “Does this meet the standards for this type of presentation?”
“No, it does not. The first two elements are not there.”
My senses were wide open.
“One missing ingredient is honesty. If we are not honest here then there is no point.”
I did not see this one coming. In the moments that followed I asked myself about the honesty question. I knew the presenters. I had insights into the team and the presentation. The contents were familiar. The question being asked was a good one. From what I knew, it was not and it could be. As difficult and uncomfortable the question was, it needed to be asked.
What followed was a challenge to the challenge. The one part that was avoided was the honesty question. As I listened later, the honesty question had been heard as a statement of dishonesty. I realized a multi-layered statement had been heard in a singular way. The team had heard is as a statement of dishonesty. In narrow way, anything other than the full truth is dishonest. However, I saw behavior that was more naïve than it was dishonest.
What was missing in the content was candor; heart honesty.
Sometimes one gets it, David did in his words; “These are the words in my mouth; these are what I chew on and pray. Accept them when I place them on the morning altar, O God, my Altar-Rock, God, Priest-of-My-Altar.” (Psalm 19.14) Sometimes one does not.
