Why Leading with Honesty, Lying, and Anxiety Are All Connected Leading with honesty starts with the courage to stand in truth, even when it is uncomfortable. The Hidden Roots of Dishonesty: Where Lying Begins Most people learn to lie very early in life — not out of malice, but out of self-preservation. People-Pleasing as a Form of Dishonesty People-pleasing is one of the most common — and most overlooked — forms of dishonesty. The Shame Cycle That Feeds More Lying Each dishonest act produces internal shame, which, ironically, drives further dishonesty. Anxiety, the Nervous System, and the Need to Lie Lying and anxiety are deeply intertwined. How Living in Fight-or-Flight Fuels Dishonesty Chronic stress keeps us in fight-or-flight mode, where survival instincts override values. Your Body Already Knows the Truth The body registers dishonesty as friction — a tightness in the gut or chest. Standing in Truth: The Practical Path Forward Standing in truth is a practice, not a one-time decision. Step One — Notice What Your Body Is Telling You Before you can change a pattern, you must be able to see it. Step Two — Use the Holy Pause The pause is one of the most powerful tools in any transformation journey. Step Three — Say It and Stand in It Speaking the truth is only half the work. Release the Outcome Leading with honesty does not guarantee that everyone will respond well. How Standing in Truth Transforms Relationships Whether at work or at home, relationships built on half-truths are fragile. Honesty in Marriage and Family Edie Kay shared a deeply personal story about discovering her husband had been emotionally and physically unfaithful. Leading with Honesty in the Workplace Leaders who model vulnerability create psychologically safe teams. The Difference Between Radical Honesty and Harmful Truth Standing in truth does not mean saying everything you think without a filter. Identity, Faith, and the Freedom to Be Yourself At its deepest level, chronic dishonesty is an identity crisis. Self-Knowledge as the Foundation of Truth-Telling You cannot stand in your truth if you do not know what that truth is. The Internal Freedom That Comes from Alignment When what you say matches who you are, something profound shifts internally. Website for Edie Kay Additional Resources: Your Identity in Christ Leads to Your Purpose to Be Extraordinary Book Referenced: Return to Love by Marianne Williamson Loosen the grip! Anxiety and the need to control aren't helping you. Adopt the Holy Pause to Stop Overreacting

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