What I learned from Bill Plattos.

I'm sure most of you heard Bill Plattos passed away this past week.  I didn't work much with Bill at First Team but I did have the honor of serving with him for many years on the OC Realtors Board of Directors.  What I remember most about Bill was when we were discussing something he didn't agree with, he would just shout out, "This is bullshit!!"  I would think, c'mon Bill, tell us how you really feel.  That's what I loved the most about Bill.  You didn't have to guess what he was thinking,  you didn't have to ask yourself, is he being honest with me?  Bill was Bill and although there were people who didn't appreciate his brutal honesty, I always did, not only did I admire it but I've always tried to emulate it.  I don't ever want anyone to think, is Michele telling me the truth?  I always try to tell the truth and sugar coating just takes too long and I'm impatient so sometimes I tell the truth like Bill, with no sugar.  I have to tell you though, I believe most people do appreciate it and you develop a level of trust when you're not constantly trying to dance around the truth but you say it as it is. One way to make sure your honesty is a good thing is to check your intentions.  If your intentions are to help someone then honesty, even brutal honesty, will be trusted.  If you check your intentions and they are not  pure, then just refrain from saying anything until you can get that in check.  Let's all honor Bill and speak the truth in Love.  

The Stoics say "Honesty isn't a matter of choice, It's a duty"