We have a natural aversion to being naked.
We love to wear clothing fashioned from our many strengths, accomplishments and victories. We shy away from exposing our weaknesses and explaining the real reasons we behave like we do.
Being transparent gives other people leverage. They can exploit us. They have seen us naked.
So how do you overcome the threat and fear? Mutually assured destruction.
Organizations that want to enjoy the benefits of a transparent environment, one in which team members extend trust, collaborate around strengths and interact based on reality, must be transparent from the top down.
Leaders must be transparent first and ask their teams to follow. Once leaders prove their commitment to transparency, those who fear it have all the assurance they need to know that transparency will not be used as leverage or to exploit or embarrass them. Doing so would expose the leaders to the same.
If you work in an organization where leaders have committed to being transparent and you are struggling to follow suit, embrace the awkwardness and commit to overcoming the fear. Everyone is naked and it is liberating.
2 Comments
So are you telling us to take our clothes off in team meetings? That would mutually assure destruction while being the most memorable meeting ever. Good points on making a team stronger.
Only if you work at an office with a really successful wellness program.