Take a time machine back twenty years ago or so and drop the word “transparency” in a pre-turn of the century workplace and even the most aware leader might assume you were referring to a type of tape in the office supply closet or the clarity of the overhead projector screen.
Today the term refers to authentic leadership in the workplace and can cause the most confident executives to pause in a moment of uncomfortable silence. What is an authentic leader? The theory behind workplace transparency is simple. One study states that “authentic leadership results in increased trust, which increased employee engagement and productivity.” Rather than hiding weaknesses, leaders can learn how to achieve positive results from their exposure instead.
So why the discomfort from those in the boardroom? That theory is simple, too. The fear of undermining the authority it took so many years to achieve is understandable culprit. However, it can be overcome once leaders learn to embrace our changed culture and recognize that the benefits of transparency and honest communication far outweigh the perceived harm of it.
Our Changing Culture
It’s a fact affirmed by Fortune 500 companies, corner coffee shops, celebrities and your neighbor alike. Corporate values have seen a radical reversal from the days of premeditated and carefully executed press releases and the occasional speech from the CEO to a constant stream of social media-driven rumors and leaked insider information (next iPhone prototype, anyone?).
Wired Magazine credits the Internet with this phenomenon, but it doesn’t take a magazine to affirm it anyway. We all see it every day — outside and inside the workplace. Not only do our customers and clients expect complete transparency, so do our team members. Rather than resist, leaders do well to go with the flow, learn social media and do all they can to harness its power for good. Accept that nothing is really secret anymore and learn a new strategy for maintaining a positive personal and company brand — dirty laundry and all.
Benefits of Transparency
While it seems logical that leaders might lose respect once weakness is revealed, Forbes Magazine reports that the opposite is more likely. Employees tend to better relate to leaders who fail — just like they do — and this in turn enables and increases trust. Look for more tangible results in the form of increased productivity — one of the biggest benefits of honest, transparent communication. Transparency creates an atmosphere of certainty in the workplace, which in uncertain economic times, results in happier, more relaxed, more collaborative — and more productive employees. The benefits take a personal turn, too. Entrepreneur and Oklahoma’s 2007 Business Person of the Year, Colleen Payne asserts that transparent leaders are more confident and lead more fulfilling lives. What is an authentic leader? Here’s how you might become one:
Action Items
View transparent communication as a “Judo move” following the advice of Clive Thompson from Wired Magazine. You can’t hide your weaknesses anymore, but you can turn their exposure into something positive, controlling the ultimate outcome.
Share your opinion, but be open to opposing viewpoints.
Give honest feedback to your team on a regular basis before it’s written in stone on “evaluation day.” Continual awareness fosters continual progress.
Be willing to take feedback graciously as well as give it graciously.
To be an authentic leader, don’t be afraid to be yourself. There is no formula or single list of character traits to follow.
Take the blame rather than point the finger after your team fails. Dr. Jeremy Stratton writing for Michael Hyatt’s blog assures the result is improved credibility for yourself and increased trust from your team.