Transparency is the trend these days. Every healthy workplace culture will have a good level of transparency between bosses and colleagues, but how can it be maintained through the constantly changing working environment? Transparency usually encourages open feedback and exchanges between different levels of managements and employees, and allows one to have a clear look at how the company works at a whole.
Depending on how it is handled, it can be both beneficial and encouraging to not just consumers and/or customers, but also the people in the company. Here is a quick checklist for colleagues to see if basic transparency is practiced in the workplace:
TREAT EACH OTHER LIKE ADULTS
If any problem arises, do the management and/or colleagues involved get each other looped into the matter like adults? The old corporate hierarchy will see the problem being solved behind closed doors, with a few discrete decisions handled by upper management, but that system is flawed and therefore outdated now. Transparency will encourage all the involved parties to take an active stand in the problem and talk it out face-to-face, ensuring that no one is misunderstood or unheard when trying to reach a mutually agreeable conclusion.
SOMETIMES IT IS BETTER TO NOT SAY IT OUT!
If there are some sensitive information that will be harmful once it reaches a larger pool of audience, then consider keeping it to a few chosen individuals. Although transparency encourages the same level of knowledge to reach all to be considered transparent, there are times where knowing all is not in the best interest for the company. After all, transparency also includes the public. When it comes to delivering information, consider if it is good or bad before becoming a messenger with no backups left in his pockets at the end of the day.
TAKE TIME TO EXPLAIN AND BE PREPARED FOR IT!
In the workplace, people will have questions about the decisions being made, so transparency will allow a forum for others to question why things work a certain way (or not). Be prepared to explain to others the processes behind such choices. Honesty is the best policy when it comes to explanations, so even if it is information regarding a bad or unwise decision, or bad news, deliver it with honesty and clarity for the rest of the company to learn and appreciate the direct exchange.