Action Guide on Telling the Truth (By Dimensions)

1. Psychological Safety

• Begin meetings with “what are we worried about?”
• Leaders admit what they don’t know
• Respond with curiosity, not defensiveness
• Make it safe to challenge assumptions.

2. Truthful Leadership Communication

• Communicate real constraints, trade-offs and risks
• Share progress including setbacks
• Avoid spin or overly positive narratives
• Use plain language.

3. Mechanisms for Truth-Telling

• Schedule recurring “Truth Windows” (open discussion forums)
• Run anonymous listening surveys
• Create skip-level discussions
• Make retrospective findings visible to all.

4. Candour in Risk & Issues

• Incentivise early risk escalation
• Eliminate punishment or shaming
• Use evidence-based forecasting
• Update leaders weekly with real-time risks.

5. Culture, Vulnerability & Behaviour

• Normalise “I don’t know yet”
• Train managers in compassionate honesty
• Address politics and image-management behaviours
• Celebrate truth-telling moments publicly.

(main source: Tim Baker, 2025c)