In my early days as a manager, I thought I was doing my team a favor by shielding them from the chaos. Little did I know, I was actually doing more harm than good. In a 1:1, a team member dropped a truth bomb: “Share more with us! We can tell things are tough—we just want to hear your perspective more.”

I was shocked. 😱 Despite my best poker face, my team could see right through it. Trying to hide the hard stuff only made them more anxious. My team was mature enough to handle the truth, and I was wrong to assume otherwise.

Fast forward to a when I was building a new team at a different company. From day 1, I switched gears and led with transparency. No more hiding the messy bits. I pledged to be open about everything I could—the victories, the struggles, and everything in between, even when things were super unclear.

By being real about the good, the bad, and the uncertain, trust became the glue holding the team together. It wasn’t about having all the answers; it was about being real and open. The result? A team that had each other’s backs and a whole lot of trust.

Tips for Fostering Greater Transparency Within Your Team:

• Set the Tone: Pledge upfront to a commitment to transparency, and clearly communicate to your team that you aim to be as open as possible. Reinforce this regularly—this might sound like, “I’m dedicated to transparency—here’s what I know and what I don’t.”
• Establish Regular Communication Channels: Establish regular team meetings and updates to keep everyone informed about key developments, goals, and challenges.
• Give them a Peek Behind the Curtain: When making decisions, provide insights into the process. Explain the factors considered, and involve the team when appropriate to gather input.
• Keep it Authentic: Don’t hesitate to display genuine emotion. Recognize that everyone is human, and authenticity fosters an environment of openness. There’s no expectation for perfection.
• Make it Timely: Share news, good or bad, without delay. Your team will thank you for keeping them in the loop.
• Share What You Don’t Know: You likely don’t have all the answers or information most of the time. Admitting you don’t have all the answers shows humility, not weakness.
• Acknowledge Your Mistakes: Don’t shy away from admitting mistakes. Acknowledging and learning from them fosters a culture of accountability and continuous improvement within the team.

These days, transparency isn’t a luxury but a necessity. My journey from overprotective leader to transparent collaborator taught me that showing vulnerability isn’t a flaw, but a vital ingredient for team cohesion. If you’re hungry for extraordinary outcomes, dare to lead with transparency. You’ll be amazed at the collective rise your team is capable of. 🚀

🧐 How have you fostered transparency within your team?