Candour at work is considered to be a desirable trait by Jack Welch,and as per him it is responsible for much of the success achieved by GE, while he was at the helm of affairs.He recognises the social factors that make us reluctant to make harsh judgement, or to deliver honest truth in day-to-day life: the human tendency to sugar the pill and to put a gloss on unpalatable issues. This, says Welch, happens in business too. But how much more exciting would it be, he says, if we were to throw all of that away; to address issues head-on and to ask some tough but interesting questions on every possible occasion.
Being candid and forthright in expressing opinions is easier said than done.Firstly,most of the superiors, or the victims of your candour don't really appreciate it. It tends to spoil relationships,and is at times considered unsophisticated behaviour.A smooth talker is generally prefered over such a person. My own opinion is that a person who is a glib and smooth talker does damage to the organisation as he hides the truth, and does not mean what he says, and says what he does not mean,thus creating confusion and inconsistency. Since his focus is on relationships and not results, he sugarcoats everything,leading to dealayed action. Eventually what is not good for the organisation will show up, but with more candour, the process takes lesser time,and the organisation loses less money and resources.
Therefore, cultivate a culture of candour in the organisation by rewarding those who are candid, and by setting a personal example. You will need to overcome the SOCIAL DOs that have been taught to you since childhood in the interest of your organisation.In a nutshell,not being candid at work is not being true to the organisation,to yourself,and to those who need to know the truth .
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