Introducing The Soul Mates: Engagement & Transparency

Standing in the light is far better than hiding. Of course, at first it is uncomfortable.

I have a point-of-view about employee engagement that is focused on building highly collaborative environments where everyone learns the skills of change. As part of the journey, I advocate building environments where there is nothing to left to hide.

As transparency throws open the doors employers are being forced to adopt healthier behavior. The most egregious examples of disengagement happen because someone believes no one sees them. Shine a light on everyone. Perhaps the healthiest outcome of across-the-board transparency is that we end isolation – the single most disastrous counterpoint to engagement and success with personal change.

Cameras, software and feedback forums have reached such a state of sophistication that we can measure performance, accuracy, customer satisfaction, loyalty, efficiency and innovation in real time. Full transparency supports performance. It also supports connecting with others. Over the years at Inspired Work, it has become clear that the single greatest contributor to personal failure is isolation.

Employers will do more harm than good if technology is used to create a police state. Use transparency to shine a spotlight on good news, right action and positive engagement. Of course, there will be times when we need to use our resources to solve an employee problem. The value comes emphasizing transparency as a positive resource.