The Violence of Silence – How Lies Cost you Real Money

In high-performing organisations, silence isn’t golden—it’s dangerous. For business leaders and team managers, the truth is clear: the lies we tell (and allow) in the workplace—whether by omission, commission, or collusion—come at a real cost to culture, performance, and ultimately, the bottom line.

The Cost of a Lie

A few years ago, my team was closing in on our annual stretch goal. Just one more sale would get us over the line. I landed the deal and celebrated with the team. Bonuses were discussed. Plans were made. Everyone was optimistic.

But I knew something others didn’t: the contract was signed, but the money hadn’t hit the bank. And in my gut, I had a doubt I didn’t share. That omission—what I now call the violence of silence—was my first mistake.

When the deal fell through just days later, the consequences rippled across the business. No bonuses. No extra hires. No momentum. The trust I had built with my team took a hit—and the cost wasn’t just emotional. It was financial and operational.

Why Leaders Lie (Even When We Don’t Mean To)

A few years ago, my team was closing in on our annual stretch goal. Just one more

Lies in leadership often come from a place of fear or from a desire to protect others’ feelings. We lie:

• By commission (outright)
• By omission (withholding truth)
• By collusion (allowing lies to stand)

In reality, these lies are rarely about protecting others—they’re about protecting ourselves from discomfort.

Here’s how I explain it:

• FEAR = False Evidence Appearing Real
• NICE = Nothing In Me Cares Enough

When you’re “being nice” instead of being honest, you’re avoiding leadership accountability. You’re denying your team the clarity they need to make confident, informed decisions.

The Real Impact on Teams and Culture

The missed sale didn’t just cost us bonuses—it cost us trust. A leader’s integrity drives team culture. When you bend the truth, your team’s performance and cohesion begin to unravel. Over time, that leads to confusion, disengagement, and misaligned action.

Lies, no matter how small, create a culture of doubt. And doubt is a productivity killer.

Radical Honesty as a Leadership Advantage

One of the most powerful tools in team leadership is inoculation—setting expectations that truth is welcome, even when it’s uncomfortable. At Integrity and Values, we teach leaders how to foster radical transparency and courageous conversations in our Robust Conversations program.

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, calls this “radical honesty,” and credits it as a cornerstone of his leadership success. It’s not about being brutally honest—it’s about creating a safe environment where honesty is expected and respected.

How to Create a High-Trust, High-Performance Team

If you’re committed to improving your executive communication skills and team alignment, start here:

• Set the standard: Build a culture where honesty is the norm.
• Practice inoculation: Prepare people for uncomfortable truths.
• Lead by example: Share your own vulnerabilities and doubts.

This is the essence of great leadership—leading from the inside out. It’s not easy, but the payoff is measurable: less conflict, higher engagement, and smarter business decisions.

Let’s Work Together!

Our executive development programs are committed to empowering leaders to build responsible teams that produce extraordinary results.