Senior managers know that this new world demands a kind of openness that was once censured. Regulators progressively demand that more and more of what was once legitimately private must now be transparent to public enquiry.

Unfortunately much of the dialogue, for example, between business analysts and organisational leaders continues to be inhibited. Too much is still governed by attack and defence, rather than a search for mutual understanding. We know there are better ways.

For example, here are some simple rules for the enquirer, the seeker after truth:

• Always contract up front: why and how long are you here,
• Listen without judging,
• Admire but don’t crawl,
• Keep your questions open,
• Look for stories, for narrative, not just factual answers
• Reflect.

These are some of our favourite questions, questions that require a mind to open up a little to answer.

• Would you want your son/daughter to work here?
• What makes you lose your sleep?
• Of all the people who work here, who would you miss the most?
• If you were given three wishes, what would they be?

Each of these can be the start of a dialogue that does not have to be threatening or intrusive, but will help both sides reach for a better understanding of the other.

Organisational life has to become more open. Helping it to become so is at least in part the responsibility of those who need to get into the mind of management to find better ways to do it well.

Want to know more? Call us.