What Ever Happened to the Business Handshake?

Interesting how things have changed over the years.  Used to be a handshake was gold.  If you had that you had everything the most extensive written contract could afford.  Today, it seems meaningless unless it's in writing. So what happened? 

Today everybody has a explanation, a shift in response, a reason why it isn't as they said, and a host of other reasons why they changed their story.  Even our government and the White House seem to be OK with saying one thing and doing another.  Look at campaigns for instance.  More issues of deceit and falsehoods than you would want to acknowledge--and this is for the highest, most visible position in the country.  What a pity.

Remember Hillary Clinton telling her campaign story of dodging flying bullets as she ran in the face of danger?  Then we discovered it never happened? What is going on?

Unfortunately things are changing.  Business is changing, and we all lose because of it.  Not too long ago I had the opportunity to interview two applicants for professional positions in a company.  I knew the backgrounds of them both but oddly enough key points involving both of them never surfaced during the interview.  I knew it, but they didn't know I knew.  One was educational plans which clearly would have affected availability, and also long term commitment to our company.  Funny how that was.  Both were rejected hands down.  Not because of skills, not because of a poor interview overall.  It was because I new they were lying.

The world is changing.  It's becoming common to manipulate information.  Bend the situation to what people want to hear, and maybe tweak things a bit to get where you want.  Sadly the world follows what seems to be o.k. for our leaders, like key politicians.  The setting an example or modeling of leadership.  If they don't give a rip, why should I?

So what's the answer?

Fortunately every body doesn't need to tell stories to get the job, we don't all need to twist and manipulate the truth to get to where we are going.  We don't need to lie to make people believe in us.  Look, it's really so simple and pure.  It's really alright to be honest and straight up.

Set your mind on doing the right thing.  Build your level of integrity to a point where you model the benchmark.  Be so genuine people speak of you on those terms, and finally if you ever decide to go into politics follow this one bit of advice.

Regardless of what you have seen over the last decade, ignore the corruption of our high office, turn your head from the demoralization of respectable leadership, turn away from the lies of extravagant experiences in the field, and seek but one thing.  The heart of your fellow man through honesty, integrity and a sense of high values.  You might just really change the world and the reputation of politics.

All at the same time.