Deloitte: Transparency by Leadership Makes Positive Impact on Employee Productivity

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Does transparency and openness by leadership lead to a more productive and engaging workplace? According to the findings of the “Deloitte 2008 Ethics & Workplace” survey, it does.  What’s more, it also leads to a more ethical workplace culture.

Transparency in the workplace, as described by an open and honest communication channel between employees and leadership regarding work-life issues, has a significant positive impact on workplace culture overall. According to the survey, conducted by Opinion Research on behalf of Deloitte, 72% of respondents agree that if their boss was more open about his/her need to take time off during regular work hours for personal reasons, it would create a more engaging and productive environment. 

“Today’s workforce demands a more ‘customized’ career path and a tremendous amount of flexibility,” says Sharon L. Allen, chairman of the board, Deloitte LLP. “One size fits all no longer attracts or retains the best talent.  By promoting open and honest communications across organizations and setting the tone at the top, our survey tells us that the workforce of today can be motivated in different ways. This is increasingly critical to retaining talent and preserving the health of today’s organizations.”

Transparency Makes Work a Better Place

This year’s survey also reveals that there is a strong relationship between greater openness and transparency by leadership and ethical behavior at work.  In fact, 84% of respondents agree that openness by leadership contributes to a more ethical workplace culture. Moreover, 68% said it would create a more values-based organization.

Another factor that leads to a more productive and engaging work environment is the ability to better balance work schedule and personal priorities.

“Many of today’s employees are working hard to fit their work into their lives and their lives into their work.  In fact, our survey findings prove that an overwhelming number of working adults, 81 percent, take advantage of customized work arrangements,” adds Allen.  And, while you might expect women to place more importance on these formal flex policies, a large portion of men, 74 percent, agree that they would be more productive and engaged at work if they could better balance their work schedule and personal priorities.”