The kindness of early warnings

I saw a tiny spot in the corner of the attic and decided to bring out my device for measuring moisture. Turned out it was very wet. Probably a leak through the roof.

When I told the client about it today, he was surprised since he hadn’t noticed anything. He was also grateful, because judging by how small it was, the leak probably wasn’t very old.

When I first started this house inspection gig seven years ago, I often felt bad when delivering news like that. I kind of felt guilty, like a messenger of bad luck bringing misfortune into people’s lives.

These days I see it differently. I know it’s actually a good thing if I discover a problem early on. No fun news to receive, of course, but a lot less troublesome than finding out when it’s too late.

It’s easy to think we’re doing someone a favor by withholding information. Maybe we’re afraid of hurting their feelings or making them feel foolish.

So instead, we let them go about their day with broccoli stuck in their teeth or their fly open. Not the end of the world, right?

But what about when they share a big idea with us? They’re excited and ask for our opinion.

— Please, tell me what you think. — Well, that could really work (while our mind goes: that’ll never work).

Is that really being supportive?

Being completely honest can be hard, and sometimes there’s no need to share everything. Some things are better left unsaid.

But every now and then, it’s our responsibility — even if it stings a bit. Because in the end, anyone would rather hear about a tiny spot in the corner than have the whole roof come crashing down as a surprise.