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I think there is a difference. You can be direct, open, and honest and not be a jerk.
If you're getting enjoyment out of being "direct, open, and honest" or you're using it as a weapon or a tool you're a jerk.
I had a family member who always went looking for flaws, faults, failing, etc. When called out on it "I'm just being honest." He wasn't vocalizing this stuff for altruistic reasons. He wasn't doing it to make the person better.
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Exactly. I tend to keep my pie hole shut when it comes to unsolicited opinions, unless something dangerous is about to happen. After I retired, I got a part-time gig at my favorite local gun store...Cerakote, light gunsmithing, emergency counter help, etc. Just low-key beer and skittles money and something to keep busy. The owner was kinda flakey, and was prone to flights of fancy regarding his business chasing the big $$.
He came to me one day and laid out the latest new direction, personnel changes, and priorities. "What do you think, SP?" I told him that short of soaking the place in kerosene and tossing in a road flare, he couldn't do anything worse than his plan. Explained why. Gave examples.
He told me later that he appreciated the honesty, and he knew he could trust that those were my true thoughts BECAUSE I never spoke like that before, wasn't the employee that was always voicing loud and contrarian opinions just being 'that guy'. I liken it to the Christian guy that never curses...when he screams "GET THE *&%^#$^ DOWN", everybody pays attention.