Creating an Unmasked© Culture

What does it take to create a culture where people feel safe to tell the truth! It talks leadership who understand that people will only be honest if they are recognized for it and will not speak honestly if they are punished for it! The creation of an Unmasked culture begins from the top where leadership understands the foundation is a trusting culture where honest communication is expected and respected.

Many organizations have called me in to deal with people who will not communicate. I have had leadership discuss their frustration that they ask a question at a meeting with leadership only to have no on answer. In another occasion, I was in a board room presenting to a leadership team and all the participants in the room were focused on the CEO at the other end of the table to see his reaction. Later, they all agreed with him and did not bring up any concerns they privately discussed with me at a later date! What is in it for leadership to create a culture where people communicate openly and honestly?

To make the best business decisions, a leader must have the most accurate information about what is currently going on in the workplace. If people filter the truth the leader is not privy to issues that may impact their decisions. More importantly, this type of behavior leads to firefighting and blaming which does little to permanently resolve issues and stymies innovation. People will not be honest if they are punished for their open communication, so the way a leader reacts to information determines whether or not people choose to be honest.

In switching a culture, leaders need to communicate the change and then model the accepting behavior. If they react harshly even after telling their people that they will respect honesty, then the employees believe their behavior over their words 100% of the time. Leaders need to learn how to frame their conversations and then recognize people for their honesty before they will change their behaviors. It takes consistent behavior changes over time!

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Beth Sears provided her time and expertise to assist us in resolving a difficult and emotionally charged situation regarding our next work season in Africa … Beth was able first to empower us to honor the fact that there was major conflict in our thinking and helped us define a process to deal with the differing opinions. … In our final meeting, it was amazing to see the most entrenched and angry member of the group changed their demeanor. We came to a fine resolution and are a stronger body because of the experience. Beth deserves much credit for guiding and encouraging us and giving us the tools to meet our challenges. I recommend her work without hesitation.
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