Really, don't kill the messenger . . .

In 30+ years of working with senior managers in corporate America, one of the most glaring weak points in most has been their open display of disdain for bad news. Indeed, in many, if not most, organizations, communication is hindered by the fear of being the bearer of bad tidings and I have often wondered how those companies would have been better served had there been a culture of openness.

A new study of 300,000 employees confirms not only my anecdotal perspective that there is a real problem, but goes further to confirm that those companies where there is no fear of communicating bad news are nearly three times as profitable.

The study is found here:
http://www.executiveboard.com/corporate-integrity/pdf/Open-Door-Policy.pdf