Transparency
Imagine you're the captain of a ship navigating through stormy seas. The crew relies on you to share the course, the ship's condition, and the reasoning behind your decisions. Would they trust your leadership if you kept critical information from them or hid the truth? Or would they feel more confident if you were open, clear, and honest about the challenges ahead?
Leadership works the same way. Transparency is the compass that guides us through uncertainty, helping others trust our decisions and actions.
At the Morgan County Probate Office, transparency means being honest about the reasoning behind our decisions and explaining why we do things the way we do. It is about sharing information openly, acknowledging both successes and mistakes, and ensuring our actions align with our words. Transparency is not just about providing information; it’s about ensuring everyone feels included in the process and is clear about their roles and responsibilities.
Transparency also builds trust. It helps everyone understand how decisions are made and ensures that everyone is held to the same standards. When we model transparency in our communication and decision making, we invite others to do the same. This leads to stronger teamwork, better understanding, and a more accountable workplace.
Self-Assessment: Transparency
Please take a few moments to answer the following self-reflection questions. Where can you identify opportunities for growth in your leadership and daily life?
How often do you share the rationale behind your decisions with others at the office?
Are your communication methods clear and accessible for everyone involved?
Do you openly acknowledge both successes and failures?
Have you set up channels for honest feedback and open dialogue within the office?
Do your actions consistently align with your words?
How do you encourage others to take ownership of their roles and responsibilities?
Are office roles and expectations clearly defined and communicated?
When mistakes happen, do you address them constructively and foster learning opportunities?
Reflect on these questions thoughtfully and answer them with honesty. Let your responses guide you in evaluating your Transparency and in identifying areas where you can grow and improve.
“The single most important ingredient in the recipe for success is transparency because transparency builds trust.”
Transparency is key to building trust and keeping everyone on the same page. It’s about being open, clear, and making sure everyone feels informed and valued.
In the scenarios below, you’ll see how being transparent—whether with a colleague or a community member—helps strengthen relationships and creates a culture of accountability. A little honesty goes a long way in keeping things running smoothly and everyone working together.
“I think the currency of leadership is transparency. You’ve got to be truthful. I don’t think you should be vulnerable every day, but there are moments where you’ve got to share your soul and conscience with people and show them who you are, and not be afraid of it.”
A Willing Delay
Rachel, a probate officer, notices a small issue with a will that’s just been filed. It’s not a major problem, but it could delay the process by a few days. Instead of hoping it won’t be noticed, Rachel decides to address the situation with the client directly.
She calls the client, “Hello, Mr. Patel. I just wanted to give you a quick heads-up—we’ve found a small issue with the will that may cause a brief delay. We’re on top of it and will get everything sorted out, but I just wanted you to know.”
Being open about potential delays allows Mr. Patel to feel informed and reassured that Rachel is on top of the situation.
Rachel’s choice to be upfront about the delay shows how transparency builds trust with the public. Even though the issue was minor, she made sure the client felt informed and respected. Her quick and honest update helped prevent confusion and set realistic expectations. This kind of proactive communication creates confidence and reinforces the integrity of the office.
Clearing the Air
Tasha has been struggling to concentrate recently due to the increased noise in the office and a colleague’s strong perfume. She realizes that to continue doing her best work, she needs to address the issue.
She approaches her manager, Lisa, and says, “I’ve been having a hard time focusing with the noise and the scent in the office lately. I know it’s not always easy to control, but I wanted to bring it up. Is there any way we could adjust things, like moving me to a quieter space or asking for less strong scents?”
Lisa listens carefully and responds, “Thanks for letting me know, Tasha. I’ll look into a quieter space and mention the scent to the team.”
By being open, Tasha addresses her concerns in a way that leads to a practical solution, improving her work environment and maintaining a positive relationship with her manager.
Tasha’s transparency shows that being honest does not have to be confrontational. She chose a respectful, solution-focused approach that helped her manager understand the issue without placing blame. Speaking up in a thoughtful way opens the door to improvement. It also encourages a workplace culture where people feel safe to express concerns and find workable solutions.
For some of us, being transparent feels natural, while for others, it can be a little more challenging. It’s okay if you find it tough to open up—everyone has their own pace. But, don’t worry, there are simple, practical ways to start bringing more transparency into your workday, one step at a time.
Communicate Clearly and Regularly: Keep everyone up to date with decisions, changes, and anything else that affects their work. Use simple, straightforward language and make sure information gets out when it’s needed.
Share Successes and Failures Openly: Celebrate what’s going well, but also be honest about what’s not. When things don’t go as planned, share what happened and what you’re doing to fix it. It helps everyone learn and stay on track.
Encourage Open Dialogue: Make sure everyone feels comfortable asking questions and sharing their thoughts. Open communication helps ensure everyone is on the same page and avoids misunderstandings.
Explain Decision-Making Processes: When making decisions, explain why they’re being made. Whether it's about a case or a procedure, giving a little context helps others understand the reasoning behind it.
Admit Mistakes and Take Responsibility: We all make mistakes—what matters is how we handle them. Acknowledge when something goes wrong, explain how you’ll fix it, and move forward with a plan. This encourages everyone to do the same.
Provide Access to Information: Make sure that everyone has what they need to do their job well. By providing easy access to important documents and information, you help others stay organized and informed.
When we are transparent, we create space for others to take responsibility for their actions and decisions. It is more than just being open; it means making sure our words match our actions. Transparency helps us hold ourselves and others accountable, creating a work environment built on integrity and trust. As we move into the next session on Self-Awareness, we will explore how understanding our own habits and behaviors strengthens accountability and supports growth in every part of our work.
Reflection Questions:
How does being transparent with others help build a culture of accountability in your office?
What’s one area where you could practice transparency to improve your office’s trust and collaboration?
Think of a recent situation where being transparent could have made you feel more accountable. How would things have changed if you were more open?
In the next decision you make, how can you use transparency to ensure you're fully owning the outcome?
Expand your understanding of Transparency with the following resources. Use this opportunity to refine your leadership skills and navigate challenges with the care and professionalism that define The MCPO Way.
Simon Sinek Reveals What Transparency Really Means in Business (2:24)
5 Steps To Inspire Positive Accountability In The Workplace
The Right Way to Hold People Accountable
Transparency in Leadership: How Open Communication Builds Trust in the Workplace