Frankly Speaking: How Truth, Grace, and Mercy Flavor BFF Conversations

🧨 Hey, Friend! You’re Doin’ Great! 🧨

My friend Ken is very good at cutting to the chase.

My personality and life are full of ideas, theories, connections, and how life can be better. Ken can ask a single question with a knowing look and cut through about 30 minutes of my musing.

I appreciate Ken. Not just because of this gift he has, but that he calls me a friend, and years later he is still willing to ask a good question or make an encouraging comment that cuts to the heart of the matter.

He encourages me to BE better not just to think better.

Best Friends do that for each other. Your friends who speak streaks of truth laced with loving grace and mercy are invaluable for your growth.

But that’s not something for this newsletter. No, we need to think about how to be more like Ken for our friends.

1) Practice On Yourself

Keep a brutally honest journal, spreadsheet, or list of things you want to measure and improve. Be brutal on tracking the time you invest into the improving habit. Truth speakers are honest with themselves first.

2) Don’t Preface Truth—Your Friendship is the Preface

Trust your friendship can withstand the truth you need to share with your friend. If it can’t either do more to build the friendship or choose to reduce the importance of this friendship.

3) Learn From Another Friend

I needed to learn from Ken and others to move from thinking to acting and being. Learn from a friend, but then get out and practice what you are learning with another friend.

The Take Away—Be the Truth Teller

Pick a friend with whom you will practice truth-telling. Prepare yourself and start serving them with your insights.