Why is it that women have a hard time being "honest"? Honest in the sense that when a colleague or peer asks for advice on a task they've done, an article they've written, or a new project they've created.... women will tend to be "nice" as opposed to honest. Instead of giving them an honest response and critique, women many times will just say, "It's wonderful", "It's perfect', or "I think you did a great job", when in reality they think it needs a lot of improvement. This is not to say that you are rude and trash another person's work. But if you are asked an opinion and you know that what has been created is something that will not enhance that person's business or has mistakes in it - be honest in a caring and encouraging way. Point out the good ideas and qualities and then make the suggestions as to how it can be better. We owe it to each other to be honest in the feedback we give. And we owe it to ourselves to not take critiques and constructive criticism personally but to be grateful that our friends and associates care enough for us to put our best foot forward.

I have a very close friend in that neither of us holds back anything on our opinions of each other’s work and ideas. I thank God I have someone like that because she has been so helpful with her pair of eyes and providing a springboard for me. We both know and trust each other and would expect nothing but an honest opinion, even if it means throwing out an entire concept or project we had spent hours on creating.

So - keep asking for those opinions of others, and when asked for yours, tell the truth, as you would want to hear it.

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