741: Getting Better at Transparency, with Minda Harts

Minda Harts: Talk to Me Nice

Minda Harts is a bestselling author, workplace consultant, and sought-after keynote speaker who is redefining what it means to build trust in the workplace. As the bestselling author of The Memo, Right Within, and You Are More Than Magic, Minda has empowered thousands to be their own best advocates and navigate workplace challenges with confidence. She has just released her newest book, Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace.

Sometimes we assume that we’re helping by shielding people from difficult news. But as we all know, virtually everyone wants transparency from leaders. In this conversation, Minda shows us how to get better at it.

Key Points

• You’re not helping by shielding people from difficult conversations.
• Most everyone assumes baseline behaviors of employees. Employees expect reciprocity through transparency.
• We often think about transparency with information that’s known. Just as important is clarity about what’s not known.
• Even when you can’t share news, you can put time and resources into what will help people handle a new reality when it arrives.
• Transparency provides clear, honest, and timely information.
• Promote transparency in roles. A job description is a helpful starting point for this.
• Good intentions do not mean good impact. When changes happen, communicate them as quickly as practical.

Resources Mentioned

• Talk to Me Nice: The Seven Trust Languages for a Better Workplace* by Minda Harts

Interview Notes

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Related Episodes

• The Path Towards Trusting Relationships, with Edgar Schein and Peter Schein (episode 539)
• How to Help Difficult Conversations Go Better, with Sheila Heen (episode 655)
• Preparing for a Conversation with Someone You Don’t Trust, with Charles Feltman (episode 708)

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