Telling it like it is: Why honest communication is a must for an entrepreneur

Starting your own company is nothing like it is shown on the silver screen.

Entrepreneurs are often depicted as the idea people, with barely any social etiquette and a brain that runs faster than the speed of light. The Social Network, loosely based on the life of the founder of Facebook, Mark Zuckerberg, is the perfect example of this phenomenon. The cutthroat dialogue is brilliant no doubt but paints an unrealistic picture of entrepreneurship.

It is not untrue that people of authority behave in much the same way in most corporate ecosystems. In my brief stint of working in a hierarchical structure, the top tier was suffering from the malady of invisibility. They dwelled and toiled in the safety of their cabins. Although some of them actively observed an open-door policy, it was also rather selective. Becoming the boss of my own fate before and after this experience, I gained a studied perspective of both cultures and why for budding entrepreneurs, open and honest communication is key.

Authentic leadership comes from within

Utopia would mean that all of us would understand each other, love our jobs and have no conflicts. Alas, we do not live in a utopian world, nor does it look conducive for growth. Dissatisfaction can be an efficient driver of maximizing performance quality. On the flip side, however, over assertiveness of it can also discourage your team to have any faith in your vision. Honesty isn’t simply stating what you think.

Integrity trickles down from the top

Do, say and convince someone to do something because it is the right thing to do. The concept of right and wrong may differ from person to person, there is no ignoring that, but stick to your guts. You’ll know when something is right for your company to succeed. Leaders who concentrate on the intention and quality, do not care about the flashy moments of victory; they look at the bigger picture.

The truth never stays hidden

Making your promises carefully and keeping them should be true for everyone, however, it is highly incumbent on a leader. Truth is the guiding principle here. Harsh truths are necessary to accept recourse from a dejection, which yes people have a hard time with. A dependable leader tells it like it is, with no assumptions or self-designed conclusions. Confidence turning into blindness is a sign of deception and people who work with you will see right through it. You win half the battle by simply opening yourself up to the possibility of being wrong and starting from scratch if need be.

New thinking flourishes when challenged in a safe environment

The fear of retribution is an idea killer, and what is more important for a start-up than ideas? Positive rebuttal or even tangible recognition encourages honesty within the team. Brainstorming sessions for these conversations are a great way of getting answers to open ended questions, inviting the team into the fore instead of simple and one-directional debriefing. Most people are likely to share information this way instead of being pointed out of the crowd. Open the floor for active conversing and listening.

If you wouldn’t do it, why would they?

You must’ve heard of leading by example. But that doesn’t necessarily mean you have to always raise the bar; the skill lies rather in holding it up where it is. When you exclude yourself from the team, you are essentially putting up a glass wall that won’t break, until you take a hammer to it. It is difficult to reach anywhere until you know where to go, and it is your job to tell the direction. Cultivate an attitude that allows you to accept the mistakes you make and move on with a reframed state of mind. Let the intrinsic motivations show because you are responsible for the motivations of your team. Give constructive feedback and more importantly, ask for it.

Be fair and consistent, fairly consistently

Level the playing field with well thought out core ethos and policies. Trust is always built, and like Rome, not in a day’s time. Championing honesty benefits your business in all aspects, as your clients and funding partners partake as much in the success of your business. Help them understand your decision-making process with effective communication so everyone moves towards the same goal.

As Henry Ford once put it aptly, “If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.”