Sam writes:

Max, 
I’m a guy of high standards. Yesterday I took a polygraph test. Guess what ? I beat the polygraph ! The finding: no deception. The question “I beat” was innocuous in my opinion: “Have you ever cheated on your wife ?”  I’ve been married for 20+ years and a couple of years there was an affair that has since died down. I’ve reconciled it with my wife who, at the time, wasn’t too happy, she went away for a short time and threatened with divorce. In my business, however, being divorce is big no. I can’t have that on my record. We’ve managed to keep it together because our bond was stronger than any discord and moments of infidelity. We worked it through and stayed together. The longer you are together with your partner, the stronger the bonds. People make mistakes but mistakes are part of life. That mistake was corrected, forgiven, and I’ll gladly handle it the same today. 

I have taken polygraphs before, and never failed. I wasn’t going to fail this one. Did not. Here are my tips:

1. Perform well at the pre-test interview. The pre-test interview is their way of establishing a baseline and get you worked up. Easy drill for a good man !
2. Have good, clean standards.
3. Use only “Yes” or “No” answers. Don’t ramble. Don’t backtrack.
4. There are three types of questions: irrelevant, control, and relevant.
5. Answer the control Qs with the same integrity and sanity as the relevant ones. No hesitation.

That’s my story. Stay strong. Be well. 

Hey Sam,

Thanks for your story. You seem to have handled yourself a win. During the course of a marriage, there are roadblocks and stunts, but committed people learn to accept, forgive and let go. That may be the “secret” to a good marriage.

-Max

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