Resources

The Transparency Edge: How Credibility Can Make or Break You In Business (McGraw-Hill, ©2004), by Barbara and Elizabeth Pagano. Foreword by Stephen Lundin.

Rated 5 Stars: by reviewers on Amazon.com

The editors and readers of Fast Company magazine chose The Transparency Edge as a Fast Company "Book of the Month." See the online book club section at http://www.fastcompany.com/bookclub/80/

From Authenticity at Work: "After a few decades of a lot of hard work, Lynne Seid has finally found her authentic self. She's dressed in True Religion jeans and cowboy boots, having sold or given away her Armani suits. But finding such authenticity didn't happen until she resigned from global advertising firm Foote Cone & Belding, leaving behind a high-six-figure salary and her post as president of the New York office, where she oversaw 600 employees and a $1 billion revenue stream. Among her reasons: ‘I was tired of having to act like a man.’" Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

From It’s Tough, But Worth It: “You know the adage: Just tell the truth. It doesn’t seem that hard. But for most people, there are plenty of instances where that’s the last thing they want to do.” Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

The Transparency Edge was chosen as one of Business Book Review’s 50 summaries in 2006. “Backed by Pagano and Pagano’s research of thousands of Fortune 500 executives, The Transparency Edge is a comprehensive guide to the key elements of transparent leadership and supplies notable examples of how these behaviors play out in the real world. These powerful insights, into how responsible transparency separates great leadership from capable management, offer CEOs, senior managers, and entrepreneurs an effective toolset for developing and maintaining the kind of reputation that can make them, their teams, and their organizations, more competitive over the long term.” Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

Barbara and Elizabeth Pagano are regular contributors to the Pensacola News Journal. To read some of their “In the Workplace” columns, click these topics:
“Strengthening Coworker Relationships”
“Destructive Comments and Constructive Criticism”

From Strengthen Relationships: Look across the table to your peers: “A strong peer network can make your smarter, more knowledgeable, and more influential. Leaders who ignore peer networking not only risk isolation, but also are missing out on the collective wisdom of people who could add to their success. Why would anyone deliberately do this?” Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

From Try Transparency, Gain in Credibility: "When sensitive, controversial, or potentially hurtful information is not delivered well, clients can feel betrayed, angry, and indignant. Trust is destroyed and relationships suffer. For most consultants, delivering bad news is hard, and some even opt for silence. However, those on the receiving end usually appreciate bad news that is delivered promptly and with honesty, directness, care, and concern." Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

From Transparency: Practice Nine Behaviors: "As leaders seek to be more credible and transparent, they likely will feel some discomfort. They will be forced to address their deficiencies. Yet in the clearing of these awkward states are benefits – increased trust, effective collaboration, and better organizational health." Read the entire article by downloading the PDF file.

From Nothing to Hide: "Apparent stalemate notwithstanding, a small breed of executives and consultants is pioneering a radical notion that says executives and their companies can mutually benefit from more transparency in top offices. On Monday morning, this means the boss who shows character by wisely admitting certain mistakes can sometimes earn a fierce loyalty—from employees, customers, and investors—that makes rivals green with envy." Read the article.