My name is Whitley Werts; I am pursuing a graduate degree in
Human Resources Management. I have two more semesters left to
go! I live in Rhode Island with my 9-year-old son. He keeps me busy
with school and baseball; according to him, he will be the next Aaron
Judge. :) I love to travel the world, especially Europe. I am a Human
Resources Business Partner at a well-known mortgage company,
focusing on internal strategic planning, talent acquisition, diversity,
and inclusion, and assisting my business partners with employee life
cycle needs. I have spent many years in retail and realized my love for
the people aspect, so I transitioned a few years ago into Human
Resources, and I finally love what I am doing!
Transparency in communication is a fundamental aspect of effective
leadership, and it plays a crucial role in building a positive and
productive work environment. When leaders are transparent and
share information about their activities and decision-making, even
when employees may not be directly affected, it can benefit the
organization and its employees. First and foremost, transparency
fosters trust. Trust is the foundation of any successful relationship,
including the relationship between leaders and employees. When
leaders are transparent in their communication, employees perceive
them as honest, credible, and reliable. They feel that their leaders are
being open and upfront with them, which builds trust and strengthens
the bond between leaders and employees. Trust is essential in the
workplace as it promotes psychological safety, encourages open
communication, and enhances collaboration and teamwork.
Employee involvement ensures that, through a collaborative decision-
making process, the employees and the leadership team are
responsible for the organization’s overall success (Fontein, 2022).
Transparency also creates a culture of inclusivity. When leaders share
information about their activities and decision-making, even when
employees may not be directly affected, it promotes a sense of
belonging among employees. It makes them feel that they are valued
members of the organization and that their input is respected and
considered. When you let employees help with decisions, it shows
that you trust them. Even if you only let employees give input to
assist you in making the final decision, you still show that you value
their opinions (Kappel, 2018). This inclusivity encourages employees
to participate in discussions, share their ideas and perspectives, and
contribute to the organization's success. Inclusive organizations have
higher employee engagement, job satisfaction, and retention rates.
Moreover, transparency enables employees to understand the goals
and direction of the organization. When leaders share information
about their activities and decision-making, employees gain insights
into the organization's strategic objectives, challenges, and
opportunities. This understanding helps employees align their efforts
with the overall strategy, improving their productivity and
effectiveness. Employees who are well-informed about the
organization's goals and direction are likelier to make informed
decisions, take ownership of their work, and contribute towards
achieving the organization's objectives.
Transparency in communication also promotes adaptability and
resilience in the face of changes. In today's fast-paced business
environment, organizations must be agile and responsive to market,
industry, or internal dynamics changes. When leaders are transparent
about their activities and decision-making, employees can anticipate
and understand changes better. It enables them to adapt their work
plans, priorities and approaches accordingly. Transparent
communication also encourages open discussions and feedback,
which can lead to innovative ideas and solutions to address
challenges and seize opportunities.
Furthermore, transparency helps prevent rumors, speculations, and
misunderstandings in the workplace. When leaders are not
transparent, information gaps can arise, leading to assumptions,
misinformation, and employee confusion. This can create a toxic work
environment, breed distrust, and negatively impact employee morale
and productivity. However, when leaders are transparent and share
information proactively, it minimizes the likelihood of rumors or
speculations. It ensures that employees have accurate and complete
information on to base their decisions and actions. I strongly support
that leaders should practice transparency in their communication by
sharing information about their activities and decision-making, even
when employees may not be directly affected. Transparency fosters
trust, promotes inclusivity, enables employees to understand the
organization's goals, enhances adaptability, and prevents
misunderstandings. It creates a positive work environment where
employees feel valued, engaged, and empowered, improving job
satisfaction, productivity, and overall organizational success.
References
Fontein, D. (2022, October 18).
Accelerate Decision-Making by
Involving Employees | ThoughtExchange
. ThoughtExchange.
https://thoughtexchange.com/blog/employee-involvement-decision-
making/
Kappel, M. (2018, April 4).
How To Encourage Employee Involvement
in Decision Making
. Forbes.
https://www.forbes.com/sites/mikekappel/2018/04/04/how-to-
encourage-employee-involvement-in-decision-
making/?sh=12a592de6561
