Here’s how the dictionary defines frankness:
frank·ness
/ˈfraNGknəs/
noun
1. the quality of being open, honest, and direct in speech or writing.
Read that definition again because that’s what everyone expects. In life and at work. In surveys we’ve conducted, the overwhelming number of responses reflect that employees at all levels are unhappy with workplace communications. Employees too often don’t think that management tells them what’s going on and managers don’t feel they’re getting honest feedback from their employees. It goes both ways. And it affects your business.
To me, that means that communications should be management’s #1 focus. Simple, clear, honest, and effective communications. Focus on getting communications right: make it a strategic initiative, get help designing and implementing an effective two-way plan, assign responsibility for it to a senior executive, train your managers, encourage your employees, communicate often and listen more, and make sure everyone practices what you’re preaching. It will take work, but it will be worth it. The results will include improved satisfaction, morale, overall performance, trust, and respect. Be open, honest, and direct with your employees and they’ll be the same with you today.
Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803-1882): American essayist, public philosopher, and poet.
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