> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://fuse-lab.gitbook.io/fuse-lab-docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://fuse-lab.gitbook.io/fuse-lab-docs/culture/say-the-hard-thing.md).

# Say the Hard Thing

Candor is one of the easiest values to praise and one of the hardest to practice.

We would rather hear about a problem while it is still small, a bad idea while it is still a draft, or a piece of feedback while somebody can still do something useful with it.

That requires courage from the person speaking and maturity from the person receiving it.

Good candor is direct, specific and aimed at making the work or relationship better. It is not aggression dressed up as "just being honest."

## In practice

* Raise problems early.
* Give feedback to the person who can actually do something about it.
* Challenge ideas regardless of title. Attack the idea, not the person.
* Be specific about the behavior, work or outcome you are reacting to.
* Ask questions before assuming intent.
* Admit mistakes quickly. Defending a bad call for three extra days does not make it better.
* Share uncomfortable information upward. Leaders need the truth, not a filtered version of it.

## What it is not

Saying the hard thing is not building a private jury before speaking to the person involved.

It is not saving up six months of irritation for an annual review.

And it is not permission to be an asshole. Candor without respect is just bad communication.