You're in a crucial meeting and sense something's off. Information is not flowing, and the air is thick with unspoken words. It feels unsettling, right?
--- The Trust Equation---
Transparency + Communication = Trust.
It's that simple, and yet, in the complex dance of leadership and teamwork, we often stumble on this foundational step. When the flow of information becomes a trickle rather than a stream, it's time to understand why.
--- Leaders: Check Your Assumptions ---
If you're a leader holding back information, ask yourself:
- Are you trying to shield your team from overwhelm?
- Do you believe certain information isn't critical to their work?
- Are you waiting for the "perfect" moment to share?
Your team is more resilient than you think. The team craves context, even if it's complex. And in our fast-paced world, perfect timing is often a myth.
--- Teams: Confront Your Fears ---
Teams, if you're holding back, what's driving your silence?
- Admitting experiment failures?
- Evidence that doesn't support the idea and a need to pivot?
- How will you be judged if asked for support and help?
- Concern over performance metrics?
In a truly innovative environment, failure is a stepping stone to success. Help and support are encouraged.
--- The Cost ---
Whether it's leaders or teams doing the withholding, the result is the same: once distrust takes root, it spreads. In an environment without transparency, trust withers. Without trust, success becomes all but impossible.
--- Building a Culture of Transparency ---
So, how do we combat this?
- Regular, Open Dialogues: Schedule consistent meetings where open discussion is encouraged. Make these safe spaces for sharing both triumphs and challenges.
- Foster Trust Actively: Don't just discuss transparency—model it. Share your struggles and uncertainties. Let your team see that vulnerability is strength.
- Reframe Failure: Embrace failures as learning opportunities. Celebrate the insights gained from experiments that didn't pan out.
- Align Metrics with Reality: With teams working in discovery and innovation, traditional performance metrics don't work. Develop measures that value learning, adaptation, and resilience.
- Encourage Upward Communication: Create channels for your team to share concerns, insights, and feedback without fear of repercussion. Regular 1:1 sessions and retrospectives can all play a role.
- Lead with Empathy: Understand that withholding information often comes from a place of fear or insecurity. Address root causes with compassion and support.
When you commit to radical transparency, something magical happens. Teams become more cohesive, innovation flourishes, and problems get solved faster.
Why? Because everyone has the information they need to make informed decisions, get help and support as required, and contribute meaningfully.
Written By: Pam Krengel