Candor begets trustworthiness, which is one of the top qualities that team members value in a leader. A more transparent environment promotes better communication and a feeling of security and appreciation and allows for more collaboration.

What is Candor?

Candor refers to frankness or forthrightness; it is honesty communicated. When there is candor in a workplace, it implies that people are more sincere, honest, and open with each other. Therefore, there is less room for bias, unfairness, and impartiality.

Why is Candor Important in Teams?

Some leaders or team members withhold information to feel more in control or keep a lid on their mistakes. However, in case of information leaks, the consequences can lead to deep fractures in trust. When an organization adopts a culture of complete transparency, there are fewer mistakes and higher resource utilization. Here are some of the ways candor can improve teams.

Increases Business Efficiency

Gatekeeping information might feel good, but when you share your knowledge and ask for other team members’ ideas and insights, you benefit from their ideas and expertise. Workers have many creative ideas and solutions that go untapped in the absence of candor. Front-line team members have a thorough insight into their customer’s behaviors and psyches that can only be learned with regular interaction. This flow of information in teams allows them to make smarter decisions and implement systems that tackle the company’s most pressing problems.

Candor Promotes Employee Engagement

Every team has certain members who struggle with social awkwardness and fear of being criticized, especially in a very uptight environment. Candor allows such members to loosen up and feel heard and appreciated. This improves the work culture, promotes employee cohesion, and minimizes the risk of disagreements and resentment.

Creates Better Learning Opportunities

A candid environment allows every idea shared to be a learning opportunity for other team members. This approach also encourages far more productive discussions as transparency is promoted from the top of the hierarchy to the bottom.

How to Promote Candor in Workplace?

Speak the Truth

Honesty and transparency in the workplace are highly appreciated by team members. Leaders who are candid speak one truth and do not constantly change their narrative. This gives members peace of mind in knowing that the rules aren’t continually changing and no decisions will be made without arbitration. With that assurance, workers are encouraged to go the extra mile and do whatever it takes to help their team achieve goals.

Offer Psychological Safety

In addition to encouraging input from team members, it is also important to promote an environment where they feel safe enough to share their ideas and feelings. When members are certain that their thoughts are appreciated, it makes it easier for them to accept constructive feedback rather than seeing it as an insult to their work.

Psychological safety can be ensured through training sessions where team members are encouraged to share their ideas and then rewarded for it. Regular team-building exercises and reward programs are an effective way of keeping morale high and regular check-ins will help members feel at ease.

Promote Emotional Intelligence

The most effective way to make team members feel at ease is in their colleagues’ shoes. Sharing advice with them that helps them relate and corresponds to their way of thinking is also a great way to promote emotional intelligence. Emotional intelligence helps members interact better with each other, brainstorm smarter ideas, and produce more efficient results.

Although keeping it nice and cheery is recommended to maintain candor, it is also important to know how to have unpleasant conversations. When uncomfortable conversations are suppressed, it can be very difficult for team members to know their mistakes and move further. The key is to deliver negative feedback in a constructive way without being hurtful. The conversation should start by highlighting the positives, followed by constructive criticism. Offer appropriate tools like training and workshops for team members to improve and progress.

Bottom Line on Candor

Candor is one of the most important characteristics of a solid corporate culture. It starts with the team leader and travels to the bottom of the chain. Although it requires consistency, effective practices, and plenty of hard work, creating a culture of candor can foster a supportive and healthy organizational environment.