Most people do not like surprises, especially when such events can be avoided through better and clearer communication. This same logic is also very applicable in the business world.
If a tree falls in the woods and there is no one around to hear it, did it really happen? Yes, it's a cliche. But, it's something to ponder when it comes to how you talk about your business outside of the confines of the office or the laptop.
Choosing to be genuine, open and honest with all areas of your business will create many advantages for your company. This approach to business will start to pay off down the road as you form relationships with employees, suppliers and customers and will allow you to respond quickly to problems and controversy if they arise.
Conversely, withholding information can cultivate gossip and speculation from both customers and employees, ultimately leading to toxicity, both internally and at the bottom line.
Being transparent will help your customers be more successful and lessen the burden of project delays. For example, if you have a project with multiple stakeholders and various entities coming together working toward a defined deadline and you are not transparent in your setbacks, you can potentially lose trust across the board.
Instead, take a more open and honest approach with the stakeholders at an earlier stage, highlighting what could go wrong and what potential obstacles exist. Communicate early and often when setbacks do happen. It will give the other stakeholders a sense of trust, a bigger picture of the project and the potential impact your delay may cause. Waiting and then deciding to ‘spill the beans’ will cause your business to lose customers and ultimately damage your revenue stream.
A culture of transparency externally starts with your employees. Company leaders should demonstrate open and straight forward communication to the employees. Successful leaders are not just good at telling people what to do, instead acting as more of a coordinator using influence and relationship continuity to ensure consistent positive behavior. Doing this will create an environment of engagement within your organization.
We operate as a transparent business from the top down and have an atmosphere of respect through building a solid foundation of trust with our employees and customers.