Tell the Truth Early, Often, and in Plain Language
Term: Tell the Truth Early, Often, and in Plain Language | Book: Lipstick on a Pig (the no-spin era): book profile and conceptual summary
Definition and main idea
The book’s central principle is that truth should be told early, repeatedly and in clear language; communication should not be delayed until the preferred story is complete or until others reveal the news.
Explanation and elaboration
“Early” means that verified facts are announced at the first responsible moment. “Often” means that information is updated as details become clear. “Plain” means the audience should not have to decode specialist language or defensive phrasing to understand the message. If something is still unknown, that uncertainty itself must be stated: what we know, what we do not know and what is being done to clarify the matter.
Notes and limits of interpretation
Source versus analysis
Speed does not replace accuracy. This principle is not a licence to publish guesses or unverified information; fact, ambiguity and conjecture must stay separate.
Relations to other concepts
- The No-Spin Era & Transparency
- Deliver the Bad News Yourself & Admit Mistakes Fast
- Crisis Communication in the Real World
- Message & Objective First
Review questions
- What communication problem does this principle solve?
- Is the message consistent with the reality of the organisation’s performance?
- What exactly should the audience know, understand or do?
- What evidence exists to evaluate the result?