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Problem: Keeping information hidden can slow down teamwork and reduce trust.

Solution: Make information public by default so everyone can access what they need, boosting transparency, collaboration, and trust across the team.

Introduction:

Traditional management often relies on information silos and a “need-to-know” approach, limiting transparency to reduce misinformation. We turn this model on its head: information should be public by default, encouraging maximum contribution from all team members. This transparency-first approach only restricts information that is explicitly designated as not public, creating a natural bias for openness across the organization.

Tools:

• Instead of asking, “How do we get the right information to the right people at the right time?” ask, “How do we build a framework that allows everyone to access and contribute to information, regardless of role or function?”
• In action, our system leverages a knowledge management framework that breaks down walls—allowing any team member to access information from all other functions.
• For example, a marketing manager can view sales data without needing special permission. This open access frees up management from constantly unblocking access and shifts the focus to teaching team members how to effectively navigate and organize within the knowledge system.
• Transparent, documented guidance empowers individuals, enabling leadership to extend beyond any single team or person—building an organization where knowledge sharing drives progress and innovation at every level.
• Transparency opens doors to collaboration, reducing barriers to contribution and fostering an inclusive, knowledge-sharing culture.
• Whenever possible, use public issue trackers, projects, and repositories to make information accessible.
• Remember, transparency is not a substitute for communication—just because information exists in the handbook or a database doesn’t mean it shouldn’t be shared more directly or robustly with those who need it.
• On a personal level, practice directness in sharing information, and own up to mistakes.
• When setbacks occur, view them as moments of continuous improvement to uncover lessons and improve processes without blame.
• Although it can sometimes be challenging to determine what or how much to share, best practice is to commit to maximum transparency.
• Our approach is to document any exceptions, ensuring that non-public material is well-documented and accessible as needed.
• By maintaining this value, we ensure our principles scale with us, preventing dilution as the organization grows.