Being Open and Honest

There is no question that being a leader is not easy. By definition, such a person is called upon on a regular basis to make all kinds of decisions. No matter the wisdom or justification, it is a given that decisions the leader does make will not please everyone. People have their own perspectives and as a result do not always agree with the choices of a leader no matter how well-intentioned they may be. This, of course, is normal though a bit frustrating at times for both the leader and those he or she oversees. Given the reality of this periodic disagreement, the question then becomes what steps can be taken to ensure honest differences do not escalate to lasting wounds or division?

From a communication perspective, there are several tangible steps that leaders can and should take. To better explain, as an example let me use the hiring of an organizational executive. To begin, the hiring process should be as transparent as possible. Doing so creates confidence in those who are doing the hiring and reduces levels of anxiety staff members might be feeling. Secondly, that process needs to be honored. If executives say the search process is open to internal and external candidates, for example, then that should be the case. Being open and honest displays respect for the entire staff and helps fortify office morale at all levels even if the candidate who is eventually hired is to everyone's liking.

Should those doing the hiring need or decide to make adjustments in the process, then they need to be open about that. Making changes without notifying the staff members is not being honest. In a worst-case scenario, should leaders announce an open process when they have no intention of being open, then the consequences can be dire. It destroys the credibility of the leaders, damages employee morale, and puts the person being hired beyond the eight-ball with employees he or she will be directing. The lesson here is people are much more likely to accept decisions by leadership they do not always agree with so long as the decision-making process is conducted as openly and honestly as possible.