People often lie in an attempt to be kind. ("You look great in that outfit!") When is it OK to tell an innocuous fib, and when is the truth a better bet? Before you tell a white lie, ask yourself if you're sure it will lead to a better result in the long run. Sometimes the answer will be obvious; in other cases it may not be so clear. Consider whether the other person prefers comfort or candor, as well as whether they want different things in different situations. If you don't know, ask. With colleagues, for example, you could ask what type of feedback they generally appreciate, and when they want to hear tough but constructive criticism. But in most circumstances, as the saying goes, honesty is the best policy. If you're not sure what to do, ask a group of people for advice — and if they don't unanimously agree that a lie is OK, tell the truth.
Adapted from "When Is It OK to Tell a Well-Meaning Lie?," by Adam Eric Greenberg et al.
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