Candid: More Than Just a Word
Synonyms for candid include frank, honest, forthright, truthful, sincere, plain-spoken, direct, and earnest. Antonyms include ambiguous, reticent, evasive, and diplomatic.
I once watched my granddaughter show what true candor looks like. She saw my mother-in-law in shorts and announced it was going to rain. When asked how she knew, she replied, “You have lightning on your legs, and it always rains near lightning.” That moment of childlike honesty created laughter, sparked conversation, and reminded me of the pure candor children naturally carry.
As adults, we often lose that instinct. Yet candid communication is essential for growth, effective teamwork, avoiding misunderstandings, and building clarity in relationships. We may have standard operating procedures for tasks, but without candid questions and answers, inefficiencies creep in.
The book of Ecclesiastes concludes with a simple directive: “Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.” Nothing ambiguous—just a forthright guide for living. In the same way, our workplaces and teams thrive when we hold each other accountable with honesty and candor.
If I fall short, I want someone to be candid with me—because that honesty helps me grow not just as an employee, but as a person. A chain is only as strong as its weakest link, and an organization only as strong as the candor it fosters. Let’s return to the honesty of a child, speaking openly, sharpening one another, and growing stronger together.
