Integrity: Why we need a transfusion

Do you say what you mean and mean what you say? All too often the answer is no, which may explain why we tend to assume others aren't saying what they mean either.

Think back: How many times — after a meeting at work or church, or following a political speech or press conference — do you ask, "Is that really true? Did he really mean that?"

If your gut tells you that what you heard is trustworthy, the relief you feel is telling you something else. It's reminding you that much of what we hear is carefully packaged to gain advantage, protect the speaker or at least avoid the hard work of honest disagreement.

(Article continues to include an interview with Stephen L. Carter, author of Integrity.)