Transparency Is a Superpower

When this newsletter began, it was a simple copy-paste of our weekly newsletter. Today, that changes. And while you can still subscribe to our weekly newsletter, expect this space to be more reflective of my perspectives on the landscape of workplace fairness, the XM work we're leading at Living Corporate, and my personal reflections as I continue my leadership journey as a founder and CEO.

This past week, my wife Candis and I were watching X-Men 97 and there was a scene (no deep spoilers) where a ton of superhero cameos popped up, one of which was Spider-Man. Growing up, Spider-Man was my favorite superhero. He wasn't some sterling Adonis of a man with no insecurities or frustrations (yes, I'm looking at you Clark). Peter Parker was a nerd, a bit of a pushover at work and yet, a hero to millions of people. I realized that what drew me to Spider-Man was his vulnerability. His humanity shone through his struggle and his willingness to be imperfect while still striving to be the best version of himself every day. This is what drew other fans (and super heroic allies) to him as well.

Deep down, we all want to be Superman—able to leap tall deliverables in a single bound, faster than a speeding email—the corny analogies go on. However, transparency and vulnerability empower those around us (coworkers, friends, etc.) to take off the masks of supposed "got-it-all-togetherness" and collaborate to help one another beyond the typical and topical niceties.

Let's be clear, this doesn't mean you are sloppy, lazy, or incompetent. Going back to the analogy, Spider-Man is wildly skilled, strong, funny, and overall very capable. He also paired all of that with a level of authenticity and approachability that makes him easy to work alongside and root for.

For leaders looking to engage their employees, this may look like being transparent about the market, internal challenges, and the ways they need support, which can go over much better than rumor mills and surprises.

For sales teams seeking to expand their footprint or land new business, this may look like selling what you know, being honest about what you don't, asking questions, and being upfront about the limitations of your product as well as your product roadmap. This builds trust equity on the frontend while also proactively mitigating reputational damage on the backend.

When environments are uncertain, it is natural to put ones guard up. Transparency and vulnerability, as a result, are seen as high risk behaviors. However, if there was ever a season to lean into these behaviors, it's now. Beyond them being rare and by demand a delivery differentiator for employees and customers alike, these actions communicate strength and, more than that, integrity.

How can you be more transparent today?