Say It Straight: Or You'll Show it Crooked

by Abe Wagner

My personal and professional life experiences have led me
to the conclusion that there are certain basic concepts and
principles by which individuals, groups, organizations — yes,
governments — could live that would result in real happiness
and prosperity. Many people, families and organizations do
live very successfully by their own modified versions of the
concepts in Say It Straight. As I live my life using these
ideas, I become more and more convinced of their virtue and
broad applicability, in both personal and professional
relationships.

I went to a seminar several years ago. The leader of this
workshop had made several million dollars in a relatively
short period of time. He had formed a new company, one
that began by remodeling Victorian homes in the Bay area of
California. The unusual thing about this company was that
the president purposely set out to have the members of the
organization live by some basic, simple rules concerning their
relationships with one another. He wondered whether some
of the “hokey” ideas prevalent in the field of humanistic
psychology could really be employed in the “dog-eat-dog”
business world. He found that they certainly could. His
success was astounding.

It is in part from that humanistic approach, that the Say It
Straight guidelines evolved. They are common sense ideas
which can be learned and put into practice with relative
ease. They are as effective and relevant for an interpersonal
relationship between two, as for a professional organization
of two thousand.

The Say It Straight model provides a simple framework for
obtaining cooperation, communicating clearly, and conveying
a genuine sense of respect for others. Even if one person in
an organization or group starts using these principles,
improvements will begin. For best results, however, they
should be practiced by all. Present members can be asked to
agree to follow these guidelines, with the assurance that, by
doing so, they will receive support from the top. Prospective
employees can be asked to read the principles and agree to
follow them when hired. Once the members of an
organization have accepted these concepts, it is up to the
leaders, as well as all participants, to strive for their
consistent implementation. The content of the principles
enclosed in this book may be used as a simple checklist for
evaluating a person’s “people skills”, as well as a problemsolving
tool when difficulties in communication arise.

One other element of this book to which I wish to make
reference, is my desire to interject humor when it’s
appropriate. I plan to share with you a few of my favorite
stories, thereby giving the intellectual part of you a rest, and
letting the playful part of you have a little fun. The added
benefit to you is that when you laugh, you actually help
yourself to physically fight off illness, and promote a sense of
well-being. Humor is depicted in italics herein, thus you’ll
know when to laugh.

145 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 1, 1986