A lot of management gurus across the world, including the great Jack Welch, have preached the importance of Candour in everyday life and especially in business.
Lack of Candour is a barrier to complete exchange of essential information and ideas. It may not essentially be with an intent to do harm but it is naturally abstained from by people across all walks of life. No matter where we go, lack of frankness can be seen everywhere.
However, is it really practical to have a complete Candour policy? People abstain from being candid to avoid conflicts, from becoming an eye-sore. Why is it so? Is being frank that bad?
It is not easy to be candid. Being frank overwhelmes people. It causes resentment, reluctance, anger, conflict and awkwardness.
Personally, I do not advocate Candour. Yes frankness is essential. It reduces efforts, makes work better, easier and faster, but being candid about everything will somehow or the other create issues - personally and professionally!
Problem arises when people are not frank about the indispensables. Essential ideas and information should be frankly communicated. Appraisals and feedbacks should always be honest. People should not take criticisms negatively. There has to be a change in the thinking and mind set of people. When this happens, the organisation does better and employees have better motivation.
But let me be frank...Being candid about everything is not practically possible or viable. You should be candid only where it really helps people and the organisation. If you are candid and towards the end of the conversation you feel it could have serious implications, you should make an effort to tone it down a bit without taking away the essence and purpose of the conversation!
It is a challenge to implement it across all aspects of life, but it should be done!
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