SmartPulse — our weekly nonscientific reader poll in SmartBrief on Leadership — tracks feedback from more than 190,000 business leaders. We run the poll question each week in our e-newsletter.
Last week, we asked: How transparent are you in sharing information with your team?
- Completely — they know everything I know: 14.47%
- Very — they know most things, but I hold some things back: 74.47%
- Somewhat — they know the things I think they need to know: 8.3%
- Not very — I share on a need-to-know basis: 1.91%
- Not at all — I rarely share information with them: .85%
Transparency rules. The more you share, the more they trust you. Even if you’re in the “very transparent” camp, you can probably share more information. Don’t just think about sharing “final” or confirmed information – giving people transparency into information in real time can quell rumors and strengthen bonds. While you may think you’re being transparent, by waiting to share information until it’s final, you’re actually promoting unhealthy dynamics on your team. So ask yourself – do I really have to withhold this information? If not, share away!
Mike Figliuolo is managing director of thoughtLEADERS and author of “One Piece of Paper: The Simple Approach to Powerful, Personal Leadership.”