Discussing the Book of the Month
March 2004 - The Transparency Edge: How Credibility Can Make or Break You in Business
Corporate transparency is a buzzword every well-spoken business leader is mouthing these days. In The Transparency Edge, this month's Readers' Choice selection, Barbara and Elizabeth Pagano explore the meaning of transparency -- and tell how to get there. Over the course of the book, the Paganos -- a leadership expert and business reporter, as well as mother and daughter -- outline nine behaviors leaders must cultivate.
Discuss Now!>>
Discussion Questions
- The authors assert that while there can be too little transparency in organizations, there can also be too much. What does being "responsibly transparent" mean to you? How are you and others in your company measuring up?
- In the authors' research, 92% of more than 2,300 executives said that if a person loses credibility with them, it would be very difficult to gain it back. When did someone lose credibility with you? What, if anything, did they do to try to regain your respect?
- Do you think leaders are prepared to be overwhelmingly honest and admit mistakes? How can we help them? How can others help you?
- How we think of ourselves and the ways others perceive us often don't match. And yet we need feedback in order to determine a plan for personal improvement. How do you create experiences to learn how you are perceived? How do you handle the information?
