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The Transparency Edge

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The Transparency Edge

How Credibility Can Make or Break You in Business

McGraw-Hill,

15 min read
10 take-aways
Text available

What's inside?

Does it pay to be honest with your boss? Is your boss honest with you? If not, beware, credibility collapse looms ahead.

Editorial Rating

7

Qualities

  • Applicable

Recommendation

It’s good to hear that employing a clear, open business policy can boost the bottom line and upgrade management. With all the recent corporate scandals, a management approach based on “what you see is what you get” is refreshing – and it works. Transparent management can increase employee morale, retention and productivity. Transparent leaders are better at their jobs and make a difference in people’s lives. Using case studies and self-assessment surveys, authors Barbara and Elizabeth Pagano help potential leaders evaluate and hone their honesty and their leadership styles. The case studies in this easy to read, if slightly repetitive, volume help convey the authors’ key points, which center on honesty, awareness and open communications. getAbstract recommends this value-enriched book to aspiring leaders, managers and executives who may be surprised to learn that transparent leadership is one of those intangibles that can produce concrete results.

Summary

Putting Honor Back in Business

The concept of transparency – honestly, authentically communicating in a way that builds credibility – is an accepted part of corporate financial operations. However, it is not as commonly practiced in executive management. Today, companies seem more alert to addressing this problem, particularly in light of the loss of respect some major corporations have incurred by engaging in deceptive, fraudulent practices.

Executives who act transparently increase their credibility and change the way their companies do business. To transform your organization, implement a policy of transparency with two goals: respecting individuals and promoting the common needs of your main audiences. But how much transparency is enough? That depends on you, as an executive, and on the personal communication style favored in your organization.

Transparency and credibility are related in interactions between individuals. Being credible is an essential element of building a positive reputation. First, evaluate how your firm receives and uses information. Is it already transparent? This is a function of your corporate culture, as is credibility, which you build...

About the Authors

Barbara Pagano, president of Executive Pathways, has coached more than 3,000 senior leaders and business owners about management behavior. Elizabeth Pagano is an award-winning reporter who has covered many business issues.

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