"Team Truth"

Much these days has been written on falsehoods and lying. While that is not the most enjoyable of topics, it is certainly understandable since purposeful deception seems to be so prevalent in many public forums. As part of that, the impact that lying has on societies and individuals alike is very much at the forefront of public commentary and various conversations. As much as it pains me to give lying it's due, there is no doubt it can and does cast a giant shadow. This is particularly true in our age of social media and the Internet. Regretfully, I do not see that changing any time soon. Bottom line: lying will remain a powerful force.

That reality cannot be stated, however, without acknowledging another powerful entity: the truth. While it may not always make it out of the starting block as quickly as lying, truth for one thing is built for endurance. Lying is more like a sprinter while truth is built for long-distance. While lying may be back in the locker room congratulating itself on triggering misconception and ignorance, truth is still out on the track running lap after lap after lap. That is a good thing, of course, but such a reality does not guarantee greater enlightenment or wiser actions on the part of those on the receiving end of it. Despite its power, truth needs non-stop care and help.

Professional communicators have a major role to play here. They can be proponents and practitioners of it as they represent highly influential business, organizations and individuals throughout the world. Additionally, they can also sway the rest of us "regular folk" to be active members of "Team Truth" in our daily interactions with our peers. Collectively, this is no small thing. But it is also difficult because telling a lie is easy. Telling the truth requires patience, tact, knowledge and a level of articulation - either in writing or orally - that lying often does not. Rarely has there been a more important time to join "Team Truth." This applies equally to communication pros and amateurs.