9 ways to foster workplace transparency

At work, not everyone needs to know everything all the time.

However, leaders and communicators should err on the side of transparency. Simply being honest, direct and straightforward with workers can boost morale, build trust, relieve anxiety and establish more realistic goals—but how much is too much?

Try these nine techniques to strike a balance between transparency and TMI in the workplace:

1. Hire transparently.

Is your hiring process shadowy, convoluted and hush-hush? Do you lure workers with misleading job descriptions? Are you guilty of nepotism or creating a boys’ club atmosphere?

Clearly state job responsibilities and expectations for open positions—both when posting positions and while interviewing candidates. If workers find that a job is different from what they were promised, your relationship will be instantly ruined.

2. Give employees access to information—and context.

Communicators can help smash through silos, create more understanding and snuff out secrecy by posting project updates, such as deadlines and which tasks each person is tackling.