Trust and Transparency
Sharing information that you know will be hard to hear is challenging. Especially at work, where we’re also navigating dynamics related to positional power, access to resources, and responsibility. Sometimes we avoid saying the tough stuff because we want to keep things uncomplicated or we don’t know how to be honest about what’s not going well.
Trust and Transparency is one of the Six Principles of the Trauma Informed Approach, which is defined as sharing information with the goal of building and maintaining trust. My very short definition of what it means to be trauma informed is that people know what to expect. When we feel confident that we have the information we need, we can focus on our role and trust that other people are taking care of their own things. For those with trauma histories (which is most of us), knowing what to expect makes a big difference in our sense of emotional safety.
“One thing I’ve learned as a supervisor, and especially as a nonprofit executive director, is that the people around you will always appreciate honesty. ”
If someone tells me I’m not being transparent, I understand that to also mean, “I don’t know what to expect and that makes me feel vulnerable.” I often say that a supervisor will never over communicate - people want to know what’s going on and how they will be impacted. Of course, there are times when sharing honest information creates anxiety in others, but I have seen people create their own narratives when they don’t know what’s going on. It usually takes more time and energy to correct the narratives that folks believe are true than to share what you know and answer questions from the start.
“Hesitancy to be transparent also comes from a fear of making mistakes. ”
I may worry about saying things the wrong way or be unsure how to answer questions that require direct answers. I’m learning to embrace that mistakes are likely part of getting through a difficult conversation, and I can start by doing my best. At times when I’ve shared difficult information, I’ve heard my own words stumble as I spoke. When that happens, I try to slow down and stay focused on the important talking points.
As someone who strives to use trauma informed principles, I understand that knowing what to expect helps people be fully engaged. I want the folks I work with to trust that they have the information that they need, and I understand that when I do that, they also trust me more. When all of this is going well, trust facilitates good work and better experiences for the participants we serve. Yes, it takes intention and energy, but it's energy well spent.
