ABSTRACT
Transparent leaders build credibility quickly because of their honesty. Over time, transparent leaders facilitate a culture of collaboration and empowerment. Being transparent is important, but it is especially important in today's digital age where people can enter a leader's personal space through blogs, e-mail, Facebook, Twitter, and other electronic methods. When leaders are transparent, they invite others to be as well. Leaders who practice transparency tend to expect others to be honest and candid. Transparent actions allow a more complete understanding of the leader. Transparency, communicated using nonverbal body language and eye contact can be challenging in these spaces. Transparent leaders value the frequent sharing of ideas and criticisms, knowing that the open exchange of ideas will lead to better decisions. In addition, when transparent leaders make decisions, they explain their reasons for the decisions and the processes they used. Transparent leaders are skilled communicators—they do not overshare or undershare.
