Here's the Biggest Mistake You Can Make When Correcting a Lie When combating a lie, your instinctive response could make matters worse.

By Cheryl Snapp Conner Edited by Dan Bova

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

g-stockstudio | Getty Images

I've always believed it to be true, but studies now prove it. When correcting a lie, don't repeat it. Yes, this is counterintuitive. When you see a lie, your human reaction is to call it out and correct it. But as it turns out, the strategy often backfires. Repeating the lie calls more attention to it and makes it more familiar, leading people to be more likely (not less) to believe that it's true.

What can you do to combat lies about you or your business?

Some studies suggest that our brains have a harder time with statements that include a negation. The statement "John is not a criminal," for example, leaves the suggestion in readers' minds that perhaps John is, indeed, a criminal. How can you combat this issue? For starters, avoid posting blogs or articles with negation in their titles. Don't headline your story with "ACME is not a scam." Instead, psychologists suggest, lead with facts. A headline like "ACME Achieves A+ Rating From the BBB" would be a better way to refute a negative rumor than to associate your name with the concept of "scam." It is also a better way to tamp down the propensity of Google to initiate negative auto-suggestions for search such as "ACME scam," and "ACME scandal," etc.

Related: 10 Telltale Phrases That Indicate Somebody Is Lying

An even more powerful strategy: Tell the truth first. Then identify the lie you're correcting. Present your evidentiary facts and summarize by reiterating, once again, the conclusion of truth. "The facts in this situation are X. Some false reports have claimed Y, but here are five points of evidence that show the truth to be X." Some experts such as UC Berkeley Cognitive Linguist George Lakoff call this strategy the Truth Sandwich. You eliminate the power of fake news by beginning and ending your post with true statements to be sure they are the first and the last thing readers hear.

Related: Use This Secret Military Trick to Tell if Someone Is Lying

Dealing with a lie is never a pleasant undertaking, but often our gut reactions can compound the damage. Try these techniques to extinguish falsehoods about your business in a thoughtful, measured and effective way.


Cheryl Snapp Conner

CEO of SnappConner PR

Cheryl Snapp Conner is founder and CEO of SnappConner PR and creator of Content University™. She is a speaker, author and national columnist and a specialist in public-relations strategy, crisis communications, thought leadership, entrepreneurship and business communications.

Want to be an Entrepreneur Leadership Network contributor? Apply now to join.

Innovation

4 Ways Market Leaders Use Innovation to Foster Business Growth

Forward-thinkers constantly strive to diversify and streamline their products and services, turning novelties into commodities desired by many.

Business News

'Nobody Ever Gave Me Anything': More Boomers Say They're Not Transferring Wealth to Family Until They're Dead

A new survey from Charles Schwab found boomers are more hesitant to distribute their wealth than other generations.

Business Ideas

70 Small Business Ideas to Start in 2025

We put together a list of the best, most profitable small business ideas for entrepreneurs to pursue in 2025.

Leadership

How a Mindfulness Practice Can Help You Beat Tech Overwhelm

This article explores how mindfulness can transform your tech choices, ensuring technology serves your business goals without adding unnecessary complexity.

Growing a Business

3 Reasons That Experiential Learning Boosts Performance

When training incorporates doing it will create more engagement and result in a greater impact on the business.