New Blog: Wise Words Indeed – “In Vino Veritas”

red_wine_pouringThis first blog post takes inspiration from one of my favourite sayings “In Vino Veritas”. As a wall sticker, this saying graces the wall next to my (well stocked) wine cabinet.

It acts as a talking point when friends come for supper. It makes me smile – this belief that “in wine (there is) truth”, a derivative of Gothic thinking that you are more likely to speak the truth when your tongue is loosened by the effects of alcohol – and indeed, you are less convincing of any untruths you attempt to make.

My belief is there is a lot to be said for speaking the truth – for being our authentic (entirely sober) selves and speaking our mind – as long as we apply a framework to our comments.

Supposedly the Roman historian, Tacitus, described how councils were held with free-flowing wine based on this belief. This article is coming from someone who, when introduced to the owner of the networking venue where I was happily quaffing champagne and meeting some amazing people, told said person “you are really beautiful” upon introduction to them. I spoke the truth (tongue loosened by champagne) and it certainly acted as a great ice-breaker and raised a smile or two.

I think there’s a lot to be learned from the “In Vino Veritas” saying. Not for one moment of course, am I suggesting boardrooms across the country are kitted out with the latest wine fridges to keep wine at the correct ambient temperature ready to be decanted before council and meetings  (although I’m guessing many of  you meeting-goers may see this as a perk to surviving the lengthy and more tedious meetings you do attend). My belief is there is a lot to be said for speaking the truth – for being our authentic (entirely sober) selves and speaking our mind – as long as we apply a framework to our comments.

That framework I am going to borrow and cite from The Waterloo Crime Prevention Council in Canada – it’s a simple and, I think, pretty amazing initiative that promotes respectful and responsible use of social media.  For me, the framework can be used for all forms of communication – face to face as well as social media – when sharing our thoughts (and what we believe to be true in our mind):

So, before you speak or share information, THINK and ask yourself:

T – is it true?
H – is it helpful?
I – is it inspiring?
N – is it necessary?
K  – is it kind?

….and if I was to apply these questions to my “you are beautiful” statement –  it would check all the boxes surely!?

About the author

Lindsay Taylor is the owner and Director of Executive Coaching and Training Organisation Your Excellency Limited. She is also the author of the blog ‘Wise Words Indeed’. You can follow Lindsay on Twitter: @your_excellency and @wisdom_pearls.
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