Honesty Isn't Always the Best Policy. Here's When It Might Be Better to Lie (TIME)
You were probably taught to never lie: Your parents likely preached the power of the truth. Your partner told you honesty matters most.
But researchers say there is a lot we get wrong about deception, truth-telling and trust—and that, if mastered, lying the right way can actually help build connections, trust and businesses. “I believe that we should be teaching our kids, students and employees when and how to lie,” says Maurice Schweitzer, a professor at the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania who studies deception and trust.
You’re more likely to be lied to (and told to lie) than you even realize, too—think of scenarios like your mom reminding you to tell your grandmother you enjoyed her meal, or you giving feedback to a co-worker that doesn’t capture the whole truth.