What makes you a sucker? You're a sucker when you fail to spot inconsistencies. A liar will expose themselves if only you observe them well enough to see it happen. The dishonest person doesn't even have to try though, for most people are simply not paying attention.
The world is full of obvious things which nobody by any chance ever observes. --Sherlock Holmes
Most people see, but they do not observe. They are conscious, but they are not thinking. As Henry Ford was famous for saying, "Thinking is the hardest work there is, which is probably the reason why so few engage in it."
I can be suckered too, so I'm not suggesting I'm an exception to the problem.
One of my goals as a private investigator is to observe and collect evidence to prove a theory. If I am not an expert on the topic however, I will seek out one to advise me. There's nothing more valuable than the wisdom of an expert when you need a problem solved.
How do you spot a disingenuous person? There are quite a few simple ways:
- They will talk the talk but not walk the walk.
- Goals will be set, but they will not actively work towards achieving them.
- Their actions will not match their stated beliefs.
- Other people will be useful to them, not cared for or lifted up.
- Success will be used only for personal gain at any cost.
- Titles will be sought for bragging rights, not to further the overall objective.
Steve Jobs, from what I've read and heard, treated his employees terribly.
That is not the model we should seek to emulate. True leaders build their followers up and seek to strengthen them. They do not use them as slaves or pawns in their search for fame, wealth, or power. Genuine leaders lead by example, and they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the primary objective.
The objective is, in other words, worth any price. I often say that about liberty as my friends know. Leaders understand that concept, and they live and die acting consistently with their objectives. They walk the walk. That's why they have the respect of others, and that's why they can be trusted by those who believe in them.
Leadership is mostly about integrity and consistency. If you share a common goal with others and are willing to sacrifice your life and energy to further it, people will naturally and easily follow your lead. The true leader does not lead for the glory involved either. They lead simply to further the cause.
Many people I know talk the talk, but they are not walking the walk. They are "talking bullshit." Those people will forever have an excuse for their failures, and they will live their entire lives being unsuccessful. Worst of all, they will be unhappy. It doesn't need to be that way though.
All they need to do is focus on their strengths and do what they said they were going to do. Set goals and achieve them! Late is better than never, but are you even trying to achieve them? Your actions reveal your priorities. Most people I know have terrible priorities. They're "talking bullshit."
Make sure you are doing good and improving yourself at no cost to anyone else as well.
If what you are doing requires tearing other people down, you need to change your ways or your objective. furthering individual liberty as one example would never drag some people down to achieve it.
Our lives are limited. We only have so much time. Therefore, use it wisely. Have integrity. Use your time to further a cause, for causes are remembered. Individuals usually are not. I am working to build a better world, and I act consistently and in line with that objective. Make sure your objectives are worthy of the life you're spending to furthering them.
My friends are walking the walk.
They understand what's at stake, and they acting according to their stated beliefs. I can easily observe their actions too, and those actions prove our ultimate goals in life are the same. That makes our bound very strong, and trust is not an issue. If you share the same life long objectives with someone, they are automatically a friend.
