Candid Conversations

This past week three State Department officials testified under oath before a House committee about what they knew and observed regarding Benghazi, a story that has mostly been used as political grist since the incident took place on September 11 and 12 of last year. Their accounts seemed credible and apolitical. That’s what made them so compelling.

In today’s instant news cycle world, where a Twitter or Facebook post can transform how information is received and perceived, leaders are better off telling the truth before it finds its way into the blogosphere. As the facts about Benghazi emerge the lesson is clear - stonewalling, spinning, and distorting don’t serve leaders well.

Many managers operate on a need-to-know basis, willing to shield direct reports and colleagues from access to timely information. Others try hard to suppress negative news in the interest of employee morale or out of loyalty to the company. None of these practices result in the hoped for outcomes they promote.

By only making Benghazi about politics, those in leadership who had authority to act now seem small and incompetent. Organizational leaders who lack transparency with those they serve do nothing to build trust or command their respect. Even worse, they encourage those same persons to withhold the truth and that can have devastating results.

The old style suggestion boxes that encouraged employees to anonymously submit their feedback and ideas never captured anyone’s imagination, and for good reason. Wouldn’t it be better for everyone if any employee was able to sign their name to a comment form or speak truthfully in a meeting without fear of recrimination? Unleashing information, unless it’s a confidential trade secret, always seems preferable to withholding or distorting the facts.

With all the avenues of communication available in today’s modern workplace the idea that candid conversations can’t occur seems patently absurd. Yet the barriers to honesty remain and until leaders are willing to admit they exist, and model a different approach, there will be more Benghazi stories and less reasons to trust anyone in leadership.