THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

Were You Instructed to Distort the Truth?

You are on a proposal-writing team. In the orientation briefing the head of the team gives the following guidance: "We really have to win this one. I want you to be really optimistic in what you write." How do you interpret her advice?

• Were You Instructed to Distort the Truth? - Answer A

  "I heard what she said - win this one!"

• Were You Instructed to Distort the Truth? - Answer B

  "Guarded optimism is not illegal, so I have no problem."

• Were You Instructed to Distort the Truth? - Answer C

  "Was she telling me to misrepresent the facts under the guise of optimism?"

• Were You Instructed to Distort the Truth? - Answer D

  "I'm a super conservative person. I don't slant my numbers, no matter how much we need to win."

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