Want to read my diary?
Hi everyone,
Lately, I’ve been wrestling with a question: how much honesty is too much honesty?
Some people say that being overly honest risks undermining our influence, showcasing incompetence, or appearing weak.
Others argue that the more open we are, the better—it’s how we build trust, create connection, and, in fact, strengthen ourselves rather than weaken ourselves.
It’s a tough balance, and can I cop out and say both perspectives are true?
I’d like to think that when I’m honest, it always gets a positive response, but that’s not the whole picture. Some people won’t appreciate it—they might say it undermines my credibility or leadership. Too much honesty, shared in the wrong context or with people who haven’t earned it, can be unwise. But holding back can leave us disconnected, making it nearly impossible to develop trust. Someone has to be willing to take the first step: to share, to be honest, to go first.
That’s how deeper connections are made.
So, I suppose there’s wisdom in knowing how, what, and with whom we share.
We need to be prepared for misunderstandings and ready to cope when the trust we’ve given is misplaced. At the same time, we should also be open to reaping the rewards—deeper trust, greater respect, and better understanding.
By nature, I’m a trust-giver. I tend to offer trust freely, often before it’s been earned. Sometimes this approach works, and sometimes it backfires.
Others prefer to wait, granting trust only after it’s been earned—once people have demonstrated they’re worthy of it. That approach, too, can work or backfire.
In the spirit of openness, today’s podcast is something a little different. It’s a behind-the-scenes, honest chat about life lately—a bit like reading my diary. It’s a chance to hear me reflect on what I’m facing: what’s good, what’s not so good, what I’m learning, what needs to change, and what I’m letting go of.
I recorded it in one go, without edits or conversation, and tried to be as honest as I could while also using wisdom in what I share.
In today’s podcast episode, I talk about:
How I’m feeling about ageing
What to do when a staff member moves on
Preparing a son for his gap year travels
Coaching people through crises
Jumping to the defensive and dealing with dysregulation
Before I sign off, as always, here’s a quote, a stat, and a question to get you thinking:
1 Quote: “Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it's having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome. Vulnerability is not weakness; it's our greatest measure of courage.” – Brené Brown
1 stat: According to YouGov, family doctors are the professionals we trust the most, outperforming teachers, judges, and police officers.
1 question: Are you more likely to trust others first, or do you wait for them to earn it? How has your approach shaped your connections?
Love,
Hannah x
P.S. I hope you enjoy the new format! I’d love for you to give it a listen, leave a rating, share it with a friend, and share your feedback with me.
P.P.S. If this ‘Life Lately’ format works, I’ll do it again soon. Hx