Transparency is an invaluable key to effective communication. It means clearly stating one’s motives or intentions taking into consideration all perspectives. Every day, we seek transparency from our politicians, in our personal relationships, and from management and peers at work. This is most critical when introducing change initiatives. Change management messaging should be informative, concise, but most of all, clearly state the motives for the change. It may take a little more time crafting the message, using the right words, finding the right tone, but if you make an effort to deliver messages that benefit each stakeholder groups’ understanding about the change, they stand a better chance of understanding the:
- Overall business strategy for the change
- Timeline for the planned change
- Scope of changes planned
- Risks and opportunities associated with the change
- Anticipated stakeholder impacts as a result of the change
- Readiness requirements for them to prepare for the change.
Transparency engenders trust, and trust creates a willingness to support and even rally for the changes an organization needs to remain competitive and profitable. Effective change leaders leverage transparent messaging to reduce fears, encourage adoption, and help stakeholders embrace their role in moving the organization into the future.