To translate principle into practice, make the first honest act specific and small: disclose a missed deadline early, correct a mistaken charge, or own a minor error in a meeting. Use implementation intentions—if-then plans identified by Peter Gollwitzer (1999)—to pre-script honesty under pressure: If I receive an inflated compliment, then I will clarify what I actually did. Reduce friction by choosing contexts with supportive witnesses and clear stakes, and follow each act with a brief reflection to lock in learning. As the pattern stabilizes, escalate: formalize a code of conduct, invite feedback, and track integrity metrics. Momentum will meet you halfway. [...]
