Are You a Truth Teller, a Master Deflector or a Little White Liar?

Is honesty always the best policy – even when it might offend a friend, seem discouraging to a child or create an awkward moment?

Mindy Mackenzie, the author of new book The Courage Solution, believes so – even when a little white may seem like the easier response.

‘It can be very tempting in each circumstance to dodge potential discomfort by telling a little ‘white lie’ or to deflect and not really answer the question, but in most situation, it is far more helpful if you tell the truth,’ says Mindy, who specialises in corporate training on the efficacy of truth telling. The Courage Solution: ... Mindy Mackenzie Best Price: $2.01 Buy New $12.74 (as of 06:45 UTC - Details)

Why risk offense, upset and conflict when you can just skirt around the issue? ‘Telling the truth confers a benefit on the other person,’ explains Mindy.

‘If you really care about the other person, and the relationship you share, you’ll want to tell the truth.’

Most of us would like to think our colleagues, friends and family view us as truthful, but when faced with a tricky situation, do you say it how it is or try to squirm away from the truth?

This test, created by Mindy for FEMAIL, will help you discover the truth about yourself.

‘These five scenarios are very common and you may find yourself in versions of these situations quite often,’ says Mindy.

What would you do in these tricky situations? Be truthful!

SCENARIO 1: The awkward meeting 

You’ve just spent the last hour in a meeting with your boss and co-workers on a project that you think is heading in the wrong direction – but there was no appropriate time to share your concerns. As you walk out of the meeting, your boss says to you, ‘I’m glad you are so on board How to Spot a Liar, Re... Gregory Hartley, Marya... Best Price: $6.77 Buy New $10.00 (as of 05:25 UTC - Details) with this initiative. It’s really important to me and I need your leadership to push this through.’ You say:

A. ‘It’s a fantastic project and I’m really glad to be working on it. I thought the meeting went really well.’ You sigh internally, feeling you just dodged a bullet.

B. ‘Thanks. I really like the passion you have for the project and what we are trying to achieve. I definitely am committed to helping lead this initiative. Would you have a few minutes later today to discuss some ideas and concerns I have? I didn’t think it was appropriate to voice them in the room without sharing them with you first.’

C. ‘Thanks, boss. I am here for you. Anything I can do, just let me know.’

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