Leaders play a critical role in shaping company culture. And when it comes to creating a supportive and healthy work environment, transparency is critical. When your staff knows you are being honest and upfront with them, they’ll be more connected to their jobs and feel better about the company they are working for. Practicing transparency in the workplace should always remain a priority, but is especially important during times of change or business uncertainty.

According to our annual Hiring Outlook, 91% of employees feel the actions of executive leadership affect the overall company culture at their organization. This means that your reactions, actions, and behaviors can create an environment built on trust and engagement from your staff. However, one simple misstep or miscommunication can shake this carefully built foundation.

That’s why it’s up to you to not only lead by example, but also put the procedures, policies, and expectations in place to cultivate this culture. Here’s how to promote transparency in the workplace:

Establish open communication

The first step leaders should take to promote transparency in the workplace is to lay the foundation for effective and open communication. To do this on a company-wide scale, build transparency into your company policies, encourage honest conversations between different levels, and establish the appropriate communication channels. Prioritizing open and honest communication can help your staff feel that they are being heard and their thoughts are being acted upon. Read also: Remote Working Technology: 4 Tools Employers Should Invest In

Have a “why”

Leaders have to make many decisions that impact themselves, their employees, and company stakeholders. When making a big announcement, provide the appropriate people with context into why and how you came to your decision. This will not only give your staff insight into your thought process, but also offer them an opportunity to ask questions and express their opinion.

Involve staff in decision making + ask for feedback

You can take it one step further and promote transparency in the workplace by involving others in decisions, as appropriate. From quick surveys to workshops and brainstorming sessions, there are several ways to encourage these collaborative efforts. At the same time, it’s important to invite employees to share their feedback about company initiatives and operations as well as hear them out about new ideas. This will make it clear to staff that their voice is being heard, and that you value their opinion.

Share the ups and downs

To truly promote transparency in the workplace, you must keep employees informed of positive and negative trends impacting the business. When uncertainty is high and change is in full swing, your employees may be feeling a lot of anxiety—both about their jobs and the world around them. Being as transparent with them as possible will help them feel more confident in your leadership and prepared about the road ahead. Read also: How To Be A Good Leader During Uncertain Times 

This transparency should also apply to positive company news, accomplishments, and key results! Speaking openly about these important updates will not only help employees understand where the company stands, but also generate buzz and excitement about working for your organization.