Mike, this is such an important post.

As I read it, I thought back 27 years ago - the last time I was employed by someone else. I left that organization exactly because of the things you describe here - office politics, lack of sincerity, and lack of trust. I just didn't have the stomach for that kind of environment (Literally, it was making me sick because of the conflict between my value system and what I was experiencing every day.). So one of the other HUGE impacts of office politics and a lack of sincerity is turnover. The people who not only value but REQUIRE authenticity in their relationships will not stick around to see if things change.

For someone to implement the 6 excellent steps you outlined, I believe they must possess emotional maturity, high self-esteem, and a genuine respect for other human beings. A person lacking any of those is more likely to resort to false authenticity (is that an oxymoron?). I'd just add that anyone interested in implementing the 6 steps needs to recognize the personal strengths that will be required throughout the process and realize it's worth the effort to ensure a transparent culture. It makes a tremendous difference in how people feel about coming to work, the work itself and themselves.
.-= Meredith Bell´s last blog ..<a href="http://www.yourvoiceofencouragement.com/2010/01/you-can-win-battle-but-lose-war.html" rel="nofollow">You Can Win the Battle but Lose the War</a> =-.