When does being kind become sugarcoating?

<p>Dina Perreault started us off by putting a stake in the sand saying that she sees sugarcoating as misleading, potentially manipulative and condescending. She would much rather you come right out and say exactly what you need to say. Be diplomatic, sure. But sugar coating only belongs on a doughnut.</p> <p> </p> <p>Don Gleason quoted Dave Ramsey, “To be unclear is to be unkind.” He went further to say he feels people use sugarcoating to avoid saying no when they should and that it is cruel to sugar coat rather than just being diplomatically honest.</p> <p> </p> <p>Annette Richmond agreed saying she doesn’t like sugarcoating either. She would much rather someone be kind, frank and honest.</p> <p> </p> <p>You can see how often in this conversation all of us are nodding along as someone says, “I would rather you just give it to me straight than sugarcoat it because otherwise I might not get the true message at all.”</p> <p> </p> <p>Do you think sugarcoating is just a way to avoid conflict?</p> <p> </p> <p>Connect with the panelists: Annette Richmond: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/annetterichmond/</a></p> <p>Personal brand U. Personal brand strategist – helping people look 3-D in 2-D spaces like LinkedIn.</p> <p> </p> <p>Don L. Gleason: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-gleason/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/don-gleason/</a></p> <p>President of Achieve New Heights focused on executive Career Transition and leadership as well as director of leadership and mentor at Society of American military engineers San Antonio post</p> <p> </p> <p>Dina Perreault: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaperreault/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/dinaperreault/</a></p> <p>Vice President of Human Resources at The Faulkner Automotive Group | Secretary PA SHRM | Global Advisory Board Member – Achieve Next</p> <p> </p> <p>Dr Robyn Odegaard: <a href='https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/'>https://www.linkedin.com/in/robynodegaard/</a></p> <p>Known as the Mental MacGyver. My