Would You Like Lies With That?

The Pinocchio Effect

I recently experienced a new application of The Pinocchio Effect. I’m working with a small service provider. They have less than 10 employees in one small office. To their credit, they have a real live person answering the phone. But the high level of human interaction ends there. Whenever you ask to speak with a staff member, the answer is the same: “I’m not sure if she’s in. I’ll have to check.”

Really?!?

What small office receptionist doesn’t know the comings and goings of EVERYONE in the office?And after that not-so-subtle screening process takes place and they determine your call gets back burner treatment, the receptionist will return to say: “I’m sorry, she’s with a client right now.”

Really?!?

Who Are They Kidding?

In this case, I know enough about their business to know they only have a dozen clients and their service requires very few in-person meetings. This runaround happens to me repeatedly. So in the span of 60 seconds, their receptionist has served up two lies.

Am I Being Too Picky?

I don’t believe that the end justifies the means here. If you applied for a job and learned that your primary job function was lying to almost every person you engage with, would you accept the job and hope for a long and prosperous career?

Culture Check

It starts at the top. The culture of this organization is one of tight control and extreme order. This fosters an atmosphere of cautiousness and fear. When control reins supreme, integrity and empathy take a back seat. Let’s not let a little thing like the truth to interfere! What do suppose happens to innovation in this environment?

Fool Me Once

There are some sleazy transactional sales jobs where lying is an assumed attribute. But isn’t lying more of a deal breaker than a deal maker? Listeners are not as naive as liars want to believe. Just because they don’t call you a liar to your face, doesn’t mean they haven’t noticed, won’t find out and won’t run the other way at the first opportunity.

So I ask you to consider exploring if The Pinocchio Effect has found its way into your business routines. Don’t your business contacts deserve better? If so, I invite you to read more about The Pinocchio Effect.