I hope I wake up tomorrow morning blindsided by raw, bad news that I have no control over, that speaks of gloom and doom. I love being hit over the head with the proverbial sledgehammer. Doses of transparency motivate and drive me to work harder, feel better about my mission, and contribute more at work.
Wait… Wha…?
Millennials want transparency. A Deloitte study shows that management transparency leads to higher satisfaction levels, job commitment, and productivity in Millennial employees. But, even if the idea is not new or noteworthy, I have to ask, will people who receive this apparently vital transparency also offer equal insight into their own projects? Will they be transparent in their shortcomings? Will they admit when they need help?
I want Millennials to grow. But I hope that every Millennial or person who employs Millennials will take to heart that granting someone’s every wish stifles their growth. We need to give people survival skills and tools to succeed. We need to encourage them to earn what they want. Access to complete transparency, for example, is earned, just like respect.
But I’m not here to complain; I’m here to educate and train. I want to prepare people to succeed in a world that does not function like a reality TV show. If you want (more) transparency…
Do your homework: Know what you want in advance. If company financials are important to you, research the industry and competition first. If you’re interviewing with or working for a public company, this should be easy. At private company, understand the market and ask questions to show that you get it. Ask what has worked and what hasn’t; share your own ideas for how to improve. In building your credibility, you may get some of the transparency that you think you want.
Justify your questions: If you want more information than an employer has already given you, then open up, but don’t expect it to come tumbling into your lap. Be prepared to explain why you think this information is vital to you and your job. If you believe a lack of insight is affecting your ability to complete your projects, hone in on what kind of information you need, and why. By showing how you’ll use the information, you might get it.
Prove you can handle it: If you want to receive insight, prove you can use it meaningfully either to change your own behavior or to inspire others – without breaking any confidences. Again, it’s about building trust and respect.
Ask for help: Everyone needs help. Life isn’t Instagram or Facebook, where everybody’s good side is their reality; people have discrepancies, make mistakes, and need each other. Need training? Ask for it! Need someone’s expertise? Speak up! By asking for help, you’re not showing your shortcomings. You’re showing that you’re real and you’re willing to learn and grow. Asking for help also helps build trust and respect from others. It involves them in your success and may even get you some of that transparent you think you want.
If as a society, we cater to the desires of an entire generation without holding them accountable, then we’re not helping them succeed.
Doling out unearned transparency, autonomy, accolades, and gratitude doesn’t help anyone succeed. Feeding them tools to grow helps anyone succeed and earn the respect and trust of those who eventually give them the transparency, praise, gratitude they may want. And all of this helps them understand how they’re part of a greater purpose.
