The Powerful Benefits of Embracing Transparency
In general, being authentic and transparent takes a lot of courage. Not everyone can show their true motives or true self because of fear. Fear of judgments. Fear of being rejected. Fear of being less authoritative. And sometimes, fear of being manipulated.
The Dalai Lama once said, “If you are honest, truthful, and transparent, people trust you. If people trust you, you have no grounds for fear, suspicion or jealousy. "Transparency is important – in industries, workplaces, and leaders. More than its significance, transparency is good, and we all need it.
Here are some of the best reasons why we need to embrace transparency and how it empowers companies and individuals.
Transparency in Leadership
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Transparency fosters authentic relationships. Being open makes you less intimidating and more approachable, bringing you closer to your team. You become more authentic and human than a robotic leader. Thus, allowing transparency to set a foundation for a healthy employee-employer relationship and a positive working environment.
People trust you more. Openness and honesty are powerful traits of being a leader. You can’t expect people to trust you right away. You need to earn it. Building trust takes time, but the easiest way to achieve this is through consistent transparency. Transparency strengthens your leadership skills, promotes a healthier work environment, and better communication channels within the company.
Transparency leads to better decisions and solutions. Transparency can improve a leader’s ability to solve problems and make better decisions. This is also key in maintaining high employee engagement. By being open and honest, employees can express their individual viewpoints instead of relying on a singular viewpoint. According to Andy Atkins, director of research and development at Interaction Access, “Employees want more transparency into decisions and more involvement in the decisions that affect them”. When employees are more engaged, they come to the office daily and work more productively. This allows leaders and employees to work together to make the best decisions and achieve a common goal.
Transparency in the Workplace
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Transparency fosters employee happiness. In one global study, management transparency has been identified as a top factor in determining employee happiness. Also, a survey from the American Psychological Association showed that only half of the employees believe their employer is open and upfront with them. When employees work in a transparent and communicative environment, they can have better relationships, not just with their colleagues, but also with their employers.
Transparency improves employee experience. Research from the Neuroleadership Institute reveals that transparency is a secret to improving the employee experience. This experience not only makes the employees motivated, but also engaged in solving problems, creative thinking process, and collaboration.
What does good workplace transparency look like? The Young Entrepreneur suggested five characteristics:
1. A great communicator
2. Honest
3. Provides regular feedback
4. Respects others equally
5. Admits when they are wrong
Employees don’t quit their job. They quit bad bosses. The good news is that employers can avoid this by taking significant steps in creating a better workplace environment. By being open and honest, work can flow easier and problems are solved faster. Employees are driven to do their best and have more reasons to stay longer.
Transparency in Life and Business
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Makes life and business easier. Being honest and open reduces the risk of misinterpretations and confusions. It’s easier to discuss with your colleagues and prospects when the things you say reveal what is really inside your mind. When people feel that you are transparent with them, you can naturally earn their trust and respect.
Helps improve your services and boost customer loyalty. A recent study by Label Insight found that more than 97% of consumers surveyed are more likely to be loyal to a company brand that gives complete transparency. People are more confident in buying your products and patronizing your services when they feel that you are true to your mission and goals. There are no shortcuts in attracting the right target market, but if you want this process to be easier and successful, start by being honest and transparent.
Maintains a good reputation. Lack of transparency can have negative effects on your business, employees, and connections. Frequently neglecting or withholding information can be a bad move for your career, leaving an undesirable impression on the people who put their full trust in you. Transparency doesn’t only strengthen your company’s reputation, but also yours too!
The single most important ingredient in the recipe for success is transparency because transparency builds trust. — Denise Morrison
Establish and Embrace Transparency
A transparent culture is good not just for business but also for an individual’s personal growth. This is where trust in yourself and from other people can come in. People like seeing and hearing the truth. They are drawn to transparent companies. They follow transparent leaders. They stay loyal to transparent industries. These days, being real and authentic can be challenging. But if you aim to succeed in your business or position at work, you need to connect to people on a human level and embrace true transparency.
At Life Intelligence Group, we aim to be transparent in our endeavors as much as possible. Just recently, we are happy to introduce the latest fruit of our labor, TaskSpur, a goal management platform built using Agile principles.
It’s a tool to help you stay on top of everything, placing special emphasis on your finances, health, career, and personal goals. Designed to make technology work for you and not the other way around, TaskSpur’s goal is to help you build a habit of success every day.
We’d appreciate it if you can take the time to check it out and send some feedback our way.
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Resources:
- https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/321284
- https://www.tinypulse.com/resources/employee-engagement-survey-2013
- https://www.chieflearningofficer.com/2012/04/03/the-case-for-transparency-in-leadership/