Part Four of the Foundation Thinking Series
The word Transparency has received much attention over the last few years, yet I believe it is misunderstood among those who use it most. Transparency implies openness, communication, and accountability. Transparency is operating in such a way that it is easy for everyone to see what actions are performed and how decisions are made. We can see the results of actual Transparency in our Behaviors, Performance, and Values.
And since companies can't actually be accountable, communicate, be open, or exhibit other human behaviors we are really talking about the people in the company. The people in the organization must have the right behaviors, performance, values, and integrity. Problems around those issues will not be repaired if they stay in the dark bureaucracy where "people" barriers stop the flow of information. If people in your organization have integrity problems, you will not like the results of you new-found imperative.