Day 78 – Q 4.The the currency of leadership is transparency. Do you agree? Substantiate.

4. The the currency of leadership is transparency. Do you agree? Substantiate. 

नेतृत्व की मुद्रा पारदर्शिता है। क्या आप सहमत हैं? पुष्टी करें।

Introduction:

On today’s global stage, transparency, accountability and sustainability are becoming the most important factors in leadership where transparency has been termed as currency of leadership with present digital age further increasing the need to be transparent in one’s professional field. Nolan Committee’s seven principles of public life also includes openness as one of the principles.

Body

• The leadership fundamentals of trust and transparency are probably the most important fundamentals of leadership that stands between ordinary results and extraordinary results. Transparency starts with opening up the lines of communication and sharing. Offering and receiving information leads to increased mutual trust.
• Transparent leaders allow their direct reports to give them feedback and respond soon by making adjustments where needed according to the feedback. In fact, they’ll make sure the people know and thank them for their feedback. For example, Rahul Dravid’s captaincy of Indian cricket team is remembered for its transparent functioning which continued in the future.
• Transparent leaders show respect for everyone, always. Being personable, approachable, and respectful promotes the reciprocation of the same and establishes a trust connection. For example, in administration in traditional society like India, a younger senior official respecting a subordinate, who is elder, goes a long way ensuring transparency.
• The digital age has allowed people to learn more about their leaders.    As such, social media has suddenly given people the permission to enter a leader’s personal space; a place they were previously prohibited from entering. The digital age has changed the levels of transparency that we expect from people too.
• Employees want to work for leaders who are authentic and transparent — who openly seek new solutions and ideas. However, many leaders struggle with consistency in this area. Trust takes commitment. Embracing transparency requires leaders to openly share both good and bad news. For example, Gandhiji led India’s struggle for Independence in a transparent manner sharing both good and bad news while being a leader.
• Also, it isn’t enough to just be consistently truthful. Transparent leaders also communicate well and often. They are often visible throughout the organization, and are approachable and personable. For example, the present Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modi, is seen as displaying this quality of leadership where he is visible and approachable through programs like Mann ki Baat, etc.
• The need for transparency in present society is at an all-time high. People want access to leader’s facial expressions, eye contact and body language to gauge their intentions. People want to evaluate whether someone is acting or being genuine. People want leaders who can deliver balance between knowledge (the head) and wisdom (the heart).
• In the modern world, the scientist has sway, not because of the white lab coat and letters after his (or her) name, but by virtue of the inbuilt transparency of science; the scientist presents his/her theory, produces evidence to that effect and references studies to support his/her findings, so manifesting his/her authority through transparency, and the same could be said of effective leadership.
• Conversely, a lack of transparency will produce distrust and insecurity within people and will, over time, negatively affect how attractive one’s leadership qualities are.
• In this era of transparency, despite being subject to increased scrutiny and regulation, leaders can effect change that would otherwise prove difficult. It’s no longer possible for leadership just to bury a problem, as the experienced leader knows, issues must be dealt with head on in a straightforward way.

Conclusion

The importance of transparency can be seen from Thomas Jefferson’s quote, where he remarked that he’d rather have a free press without a government than a government without a free press. In a rapidly changing world, transparency matters. During times of turmoil, people want to know what is happening and how they are going to be impacted. So they want and need honest, candid, clear and detailed information from the people they look up to.