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As part of this attitude of transparency, leaders need to create an
environment that fosters people telling them the truth about themselves.
Then, after having solicited honest feedback and acting on it, they need to
ensure truth-telling exists from top to bottom. Adults can be trusted with

the truth; yet, many organizations hide the truth because they don’t trust
that everyone is mature enough to handle it. Are we going to lay any
people off? Will we be reorganized—again? How will the next promotion
be decided? Truth-telling changes the entire climate of an organization,
making it healthy and leading to a healthy culture for change where people
trust the leader and each other without fear.

Trust happens when leaders are transparent. Jack Welch, Former CEO,
G.E.

A crucial element of transparency is figuring out just how open to be. It is

important to know just how much to “hang on the line for all to see.”
Although too little transparency can exist, there also can be too much.
When transparency is embraced without a good understanding of the
potential effects of revealed information, it can be unfair and irresponsible
both to the organization and to its individual members. Leaders have to
have a firm finger on the pulse of their organization and its culture,
knowing people's capacity to absorb information and anticipating how it

might be interpreted and used. It is in part an artful use of intuition.
106

Part of the attitude of committing to transparency is being willing to
deliver bad news. This can be tricky business, yet doing it well is essential.
When sensitive, controversial, or potentially hurtful information is not

delivered well, people can feel betrayed, angry, and indignant. Trust is
destroyed and relationships suffer. For most leaders, delivering bad news
is difficult, and some even opt for silence. Those on the receiving end
usually appreciate bad news that is delivered promptly and with honesty,
directness, care, and concern. 107 The best leaders learn how to deliver bad

106 Karen Walker and Barbara Pagano, “Transparency: The Clear Path to Leadership Credibility,”
http://www.linkageinc.com/thinking/linkageleader/Documents/Karen_Walker_%20Barbara_Pagano_TRA
NSPARENCY_Is_the_Clear_Path_to_Leadership_Credibility_0105.pdf.
107 Karen Walker and Barbara Pagano, “Transparency: The Clear Path to Leadership Credibility,”
http://www.linkageinc.com/thinking/linkageleader/Documents/Karen_Walker_%20Barbara_Pagano_TRA
NSPARENCY_Is_the_Clear_Path_to_Leadership_Credibility_0105.pdf.

David Kolzow 90