Truth vs Lies vs Mistakes vs BS: The CEO Test That Exposes Bad Decisions
If you lead a team, run a business, or make decisions that affect other people, one skill matters more than almost anything else: Clarity.
Not hustle.
Not motivation.
Not even strategy.
Clear thinking.
In Episode #137 of The Leadership Toolkit, I sat down with RJon Robins, founder and CEO of How To Manage Enterprises, an eight-figure company that coaches entrepreneurs and law firm owners on building profitable, scalable businesses. What started as a leadership conversation quickly turned into something deeper. RJon broke down one of the most powerful decision-making filters I have heard in a long time:
Truth vs Lies vs Mistakes vs BS.
At first glance these might sound similar. In business, confusing them can quietly sabotage strategy, hiring, marketing, and financial decisions.
Let’s break it down.
Truth Is Reality
Most people think truth is perspective. It is not. Truth is reality. Reality exists whether we see it or not. Whether we agree with it or not.
The ocean floor existed before we discovered it.
Planets existed before telescopes saw them.
Reality does not require our approval. Great leaders spend their time trying to understand reality, not defending their opinions.
Telling the Truth vs Being Wrong
There is also an important difference between telling the truth and being correct. You can honestly describe what you believe to be real and still be wrong. When that happens, it is not a lie.
It is a mistake.
Mistakes happen when people act in good faith with incomplete information. Every leader will make them. The key is recognizing them quickly and adjusting.
The Difference Between Lies and Mistakes
A lie happens when someone intentionally misrepresents reality. They believe something is true and choose to say something different. Mistakes come from misunderstanding. Lies come from deception.
And there is another category that shows up in businesses all the time.
The Real Problem: BS
RJon gave one of the best definitions of BS I have heard. BS is not guessing. BS is when someone makes statements with complete disregard for what is real.
They have not checked the data.
They have not tested the idea.
They have not done the research.
They are just talking. And when decisions are built on BS, organizations waste time, money, and momentum.
A Simple Leadership Test
One of the most practical takeaways from this episode is a simple question you can ask to expose weak thinking. When someone presents an idea, forecast, or strategy, ask:
Why? Then ask again. How do you know? Ask that question three times. Why? How do you know? Why?
If the answers start falling apart, the decision is probably built on assumptions instead of evidence.
Your Business Should Serve You
One of the more controversial ideas in our conversation was this:
The business should serve the owner.
That does not mean ignoring customers or employees. It means the business should serve the owner in three ways:
- Financially – allowing you to live the life you truly want.
- Personally – giving you freedom instead of trapping you in a job.
- Professionally – helping you make the impact you want to make.
When a business does those things well, it naturally creates value for customers, employees, and the community.
Order Rjon’s upcoming book Truth, Lies, Mistakes, or Bullshit.
Check out this full episode of The Leadership Toolkit podcast with Rjon Robins on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or my YouTube Channel – OR – click to watch below.
Check out past episodes of The Leadership Toolkit on YouTube or your favorite podcast platform!
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Our host, Mike Phillips is a seasoned leadership educator and expert. He has a knack for extracting the most valuable insights from his guests. His passion for helping individuals reach their leadership potential shines through in every episode. Thank you for reading and watching. Please share this with someone who needs this message today!
