Last year, the video of a videoconference went viral on the internet in which one of the participants positioned a photo of him in front of the computer camera, while in reality, he himself was drinking beer, comfortably lying in a hammock. The problem is that, due to an oversight, the photo fell and the real situation was revealed.
From what I’ve researched, it seems to me that the video was just a joke made by a visual effects creator. Anyway, I wanted to bring this example just to illustrate how embarrassing it can be to have a lie discovered and how much these attitudes can undermine a professional’s credibility.
With people working remotely, in the home office, or the hybrid model, trust has become paramount in the relationship between employee and employer. Although there are technological tools for task management, it is essential that, daily, the leader can trust that the team is doing what needs to be done and in the proper way.
I understand that we are all tired. Some with more severe challenges than others in this mission to reconcile personal and professional life. But it is important to take advantage of the moment to find ways to strengthen the bonds of trust with the employer and achieve the longed-for autonomy. Then, in the face of a specific difficulty, signal the manager, instead of lying.
Taking advantage of the “celebration” of the famous April Fool’s Day, I would like to remind you that, throughout your career, a discovered lie can put in doubt all or many truths previously said. In some cases, it may cost you to be hired or to continue in the position you have already won. Below I highlight three moments when untruths are most damaging:
Looking for a place
Lying in the development of the curriculum is one of the seven main flaws of the candidate in the selection process. The most popular lies I find in CVs are those related to fluency in a second language. But I have also come across professionals who overvalue their positions in positions or companies, showing that they have experienced that, in fact, they do not have. I also witnessed cases of people who said they had completed higher education when they still had subjects to complete. This at different hierarchical levels.
Getting the recruiter’s attention
First of all, you must know that an experienced recruiter will know how to avoid and perceive a lie when hiring. So, when getting a job interview, I suggest being as transparent as possible. For example, never lie about your salary, whether concerning your current job or your most recent opportunity. This, in addition to not being a professional attitude, can still hinder your career progression. Rest assured that the recruiter will confront the data with market studies, professionals in the field, former employers, or a record in the employment card.
If you have a history of dismissal, respond with sincerity as to the reason for the dismissal, taking care not to detract from the image of the former employer, but rather to demonstrate how much you have evolved with the experience. In times of remote work, be careful, to be honest about the real availability for hybrid or face-to-face work, behavioral skills for this new model of operation, emotional state at this time, and the existence of structure for the home office, among other points that may be addressed.
Daily as an employee of the company
Communication has been the great differentiator of the corporate world. It is through this ability that leaders and followers have remained close, even at a distance. In this sense, try to establish clear, objective, and honest dialogues with team members. We are all experiencing some kind of difficulty in this period, which requires people who are much more empathetic to what we are feeling or experiencing.
Therefore, be sure to inform your manager or key company people about any problem associated with work overload, difficulty managing tasks, emotional state, relationship with the team, failure, or misunderstanding in any task or skills that need to be done. perfected in this new moment. Certainly, omitting these or other points that directly impact your motivation and productivity is not the best option.
The corporate world is moving towards an increasingly less suffocating management model, with space for professionals to exercise their creativity and decision-making power. However, one of the fundamental steps to achieve freedom in this model of operation is to understand that lying has never been and will never be in fashion.