In some of our previous articles we’ve touched upon the subject of workplace transparency, but usually in relation to different topics. It seems that it is becoming a theme amongst what we write.
I therefore thought it was time to dedicate a post solely to the importance of transparency in business. Because it is really important, especially as we move towards digital transformation and at the same time as Gen Z enter the workforce; there just won’t be room for dishonesty, miscommunication or hidden agendas in the workplace anymore.
Who wants to work within a company where the culture accepts gossiping as being the norm, for whatever reason(s)? I don’t!
HR software providers and other technologies are providing employers with new ways to report on their employees, but also ways for employees to report back on them – and as new legislation such as gender equality and gender pay gap reporting come to the fore, and will not go away, there’s very little space left for employers to hide information.
The backbone of the gender pay gap reporting legislation is tranparency and its fundamental place within your company culture, because down to its core leadership is about trust, and trust cannot exist without transparency.
We’ve hinted at this before – our article on mental health absences, for example, highlights just how important it is for your employees to trust you; enough to be honest with you about their own mental health, for example. Again, our article on Uber and Deliveroo talks about how some companies are skipping the fundamentals (like transparency) and jumping straight into material benefits like gym memberships and fancy discounts and workplace benefits.
It all comes back to transparency & trust and we need to think about why. Why is transparency so essential to the workplace environment?
Apart from the fact that the digital age is leaving us with very few other options, the benefits to be gained from transparent leadership are unequivocal:
1. Promoting trust in both managers and the company
Your C-suite executives should be supporting this – not only will you see the trust levels increase between you and your employee but also between potential candidates for recruitment and the company as a whole. This is an essential part of the recruitment process, as it allows you to find the best talent and best fit for your company. Transparency is an attractive quality for talent, and you can use this to your advantage.
2. Performance levels will increase
You’re much more likely to perform well under a leader who is honest with you, as opposed to someone who hides information from you and effectively beats around the bush. Vague leaders can often come across as disinterested, and unaware of the value of individuals within the company. This belief will likely cause productivity and performance levels to dip.
3. Teams will work better together
Performance comes into team-building, too. If leaders are open and honest about their expectations within their teams, they will likely have a better chance at succeeding these expectations, and building team environments as they go along. Transparent leadership allows everyone to be on the same page and if you have individuals who don’t fit the mould and insist on being anything other than transparent, get rid!
These are just some of the many benefits you can gain from being transparent in your workplace – but with new technologies pushing HR into the digital space, there will be very little room for dishonesty. It’s time to go back to our company roots, starting with transparency to allow us to build company-wide trust, and as a knock-on effect watch our businesses grow.
For similar posts, check out the Youmanage blog.
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