Transparency in Engineering Communications

In 2018, I almost derailed my career. Messed up pretty bad. And it had nothing to do with code. Back in my Lyft days, I was leading our first-gen self-driving vehicle initiative - my first time managing something of this scale. A complex, multi-team build involving autonomy stacks, hardware integration, cross-functional dependencies… the works. And... Lyft was in IPO mode. Pressure everywhere. Visibility at the highest levels. Here’s what I got wrong: I focused on execution. On making sure the tech worked. On ensuring the vehicle would hit its demo deadline. But I missed something critical: comms and alignment. → I didn’t update downstream teams fast enough. → I assumed shared understanding without confirming it. → I postponed raising risks because “we’ll fix it by next sprint.” → I under-communicated across functions, thinking speed = silence. The result? Delays. Misaligned expectations. A not-so-great review from a stakeholder who mattered. And a very uncomfortable meeting I won’t forget. But here’s what I learned - and what helped me course-correct: - Overcommunicate by default. Through ALL channels. - Transparency buys you trust, especially when stakes are high. - Alignment isn’t a one-time thing - it’s a constant recalibration. - If you think you're over-sharing, you're probably just scratching the surface. I also learned that in environments like an IPO-stage company, clarity is currency. Everyone’s running fast... but if you're not aligned, you’re just sprinting in different directions. We shipped. We learned. We iterated on the process, not just the product. And it made me a better builder - and a better communicator. And that helped me become a better entrepreneur - impacting thousands of lives now through Smart Green Card. If you’re leading a cross-functional project right now and feel that little knot in your stomach… It’s probably your gut telling you: “Talk to someone before it gets worse.” What's your eye-opening career experience? Share it in the comments! #Leadership #Communication #SelfDriving #Lyft #IPO #TechLessons #ProjectManagement #Transparency

The best engineers aren't always the ones who write the cleanest code - they're the ones who can explain their code to anyone. This insight hit me recently during a crucial project moment. We had a brilliant technical solution, yet its true value emerged only when we could effectively communicate its impact across teams. Here's what I've discovered about communication in engineering that might surprise you: Think of communication like a debugging tool. Just as we use logs to understand system behavior, clear dialogue helps us detect and prevent human misunderstandings before they become production issues. When we encounter unexpected challenges, sharing early transforms potential crises into collaborative problem-solving opportunities. What fascinates me most is how our profession contains a beautiful irony: we meticulously design systems to communicate flawlessly across networks, yet sometimes hesitate to engage in simple human conversation. But here's the truth - the most elegant code can't compensate for unspoken concerns or unexpressed ideas. I've seen countless situations where a five-minute conversation prevented days of rework, where voicing a concern early saved weeks of development time, and where open dialogue transformed conflict into innovation. The real power of engineering isn't just in writing code - it's in building bridges of understanding. Whether it's explaining technical decisions, sharing early concerns, or simply acknowledging uncertainties, these moments of connection often define project success more than any technical choice. What's your experience? Have you ever seen a simple conversation transform a technical challenge into an unexpected breakthrough? #Engineering #Communication #TechnicalLeadership #SoftwareDevelopment #WomenInTech

Our engineering team works directly with customers in dedicated Slack channels. No middlemen 🙅♂️ When customers and developers can connect directly, it creates a cycle of immediate improvement. Our engineers witness problems firsthand, fix them faster, and build features based on actual usage patterns rather than guesswork about what customers might want. Once, a customer struggled with an EIP-712 transaction. The error wasn't obvious from our logs, but within minutes, our engineer identified the issue and helped them resolve it. We also spotted a recurring bug and built a minor feature update based on our findings. Not every company can or should expose its engineering team this way. It requires mature developers who communicate well, set clear boundaries around response times, and provide explicit documentation of feature requests versus quick fixes. The payoff is huge, though: engineers build with real users in mind rather than abstract personas. Our transaction success rates and reliability metrics have improved since implementing this system. Direct customer-to-engineer communication shouldn't be a revolutionary concept. It should be standard for infrastructure companies that are really serious about building solutions.

I thought sharing the company’s cash flow showed transparency, until my team said it felt like watching their parents panic about money. In 2023, like many tech companies, we faced tough financial decisions. I believed the best way to build trust during uncertainty was to put everything on the table. During town halls, I openly shared balance sheets, cash flow, and even our exact bank balances. After one meeting, a respected colleague approached me privately and said, “Janine, I appreciate what you're trying to do, but this is too much information. I don’t need to see every detail—it just makes me anxious.” That feedback completely shifted my thinking. Transparency is essential, but it isn’t about showing every detail. It's about carefully choosing what to share, ensuring your team feels informed and empowered, not overwhelmed. Think of how parents handle tough financial times: They acknowledge challenges honestly, but don’t burden their kids with specifics beyond their control. They create stability and confidence, even if they're still figuring things out behind the scenes. As leaders, our role is similar: • Be honest about challenges without oversharing details that don’t help. • Provide context that's actionable and relevant. • Filter out information that causes unnecessary anxiety or confusion. • Communicate clearly and confidently about the path ahead. Trust isn't built by revealing everything. It's built through steady guidance, thoughtful transparency, and consistently keeping your word. I learned that the most effective transparency isn't about how much information you share, but choosing the right information to help your team move forward confidently. I'd welcome hearing from others who've navigated this balance between transparency and over-sharing.

You can't have true transparency without trust and empathy.  I’ve learned it’s not just about what you say, it’s about how you say it and how you listen in return.  I’ll never forget one particular moment early in my leadership journey.  I had to deliver difficult news to my team, and I remember sitting at my desk, rehearsing how I’d frame the conversation.  I didn’t want to sugarcoat the situation, but I also didn’t want to leave the team feeling lost or uncertain. When I finally stepped into that room, I reminded myself to prioritize listening. I laid out the situation with as much clarity as I could. Then I stopped talking and made space for their thoughts. What stood out to me most was the response.  The team wasn’t just focused on the issue, but they wanted to know how they could help, and how we could solve it together.  That’s when it clicked that transparency isn’t about burdening people with every detail of every obstacle. It’s about creating confidence in the way forward, even when the road ahead feels uncertain. There have been other moments when transparency has meant navigating tricky waters. For instance when sensitive or confidential matters are involved.  In those cases, I’ve learned it’s okay to say: “I can’t share every detail, but here’s what you need to know about where we’re headed.”  Even when specifics can’t be disclosed, trust can still be built through honesty about the limits of what can be shared. For me, transparency is rooted in empathy. When that happens, you start building trust with your team, partners, and everyone involved. And that’s what makes it so powerful. How do you approach transparency with your team?

Communication is the lifeblood of successful project management, especially when facing delays and budget overruns. When projects veer off course, transparent and proactive communication becomes even more critical. It's not just about conveying information; it's about building trust, managing expectations, and demonstrating accountability. By keeping clients informed of challenges, progress, and mitigation strategies, service providers can maintain credibility and foster collaborative problem-solving. This level of engagement shows respect for the client's investment and helps preserve the relationship, even in difficult circumstances. Moreover, consistent communication during project setbacks allows for timely adjustments and informed decision-making. It provides opportunities to reassess priorities, reallocate resources, and potentially redefine project scope or timelines. By involving clients in these discussions, service providers can ensure alignment on revised goals and demonstrate their commitment to project success. Remember, clients are more likely to be understanding of delays when they feel they're part of the solution rather than being kept in the dark. Effective communication in challenging times can transform potential conflicts into opportunities for strengthening partnerships and showcasing problem-solving skills. #ProjectManagement #ClientCommunication #TransparencyInBusiness #EffectiveLeadership #ProjectSuccess

#TransparencyThursday: Transforming Teams With Transparency Want to Lead with Clarity & Integrity or Confusion & Chaos? Imagine if… your team was constantly left in the dark, unsure of what goals they were chasing or why certain decisions were being made. Productivity disappears, morale drops, & trust vanishes. 𝐋𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐭𝐨: ❌ Misalignment of team objectives ❌ Distrust and uncertainty among employees ❌ Decreased engagement and job satisfaction ❌ Lower productivity ❌ Increased turnover Now, instead… imagine a team where leaders openly share company goals, challenges, & expectations. Team members are empowered with information, decisions are backed by reasoning, & everyone knows the “why” behind the “what.” That’s the power of 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲! 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦: 𝟏. 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧: Regularly share updates on company goals, strategies, and challenges. 𝟐. 𝐒𝐞𝐭 𝐂𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐫 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐞𝐜𝐭𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Ensure everyone understands their roles and how their work contributes to larger goals. 𝟑. 𝐂𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐅𝐞𝐞𝐝𝐛𝐚𝐜𝐤 𝐋𝐨𝐨𝐩𝐬: Encourage two-way communication, where team members feel safe sharing ideas and concerns. 𝟒. 𝐁𝐞 𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐬: Leaders who openly address obstacles build trust. 𝟓. 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐚-𝐃𝐫𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐧 𝐃𝐞𝐜𝐢𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬: Share data and reasoning behind important decisions, showing employees the “why” behind actions. Are you ready to lead with more transparency? It starts with clear communication, sharing both wins and challenges, and fostering an environment of trust. 𝐏.𝐒. 𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐛𝐮𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐲 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐦? Let's build cultures where openness leads to greater success! ~~~ ♻️ #Comment, #like, #reshare if you found this valuable & #follow me, Josue Rios, for more leadership & continuous development content.

Transparency is not an option, it's a necessity. 1. Setting the Stage Too often, leaders shy away from the grittiness of absolute transparency. The illusion of control may feel comforting, but it's just that – an illusion. Engaged employees crave authenticity, and that begins with transparent expectations. 2. The Illusion of Control Leaders, I challenge you - break out of the 'need to know' mentality. When employees are kept in the dark, engagement suffers. It's time to let go of the reins and trust your team with the full picture. 3. The Power of Clear Communication Transparency is nothing without communication. Clear, consistent, and proactive communication is the key to unlocking high employee engagement. No more playing catch up, no more guessing games - just straight talk. 4. The Proactive Approach Do not wait for the annual review to communicate expectations. Foster a culture of continuous feedback and open dialogue. Proactivity is the true mark of transparent leadership. 5. The Ripple Effect When transparency and communication are the norm, employees feel valued, trusted, and engaged. This is not just about productivity - it's about fostering a culture where everyone feels they belong. Remember, transparency is not a one-time event. It's a continuous process, a commitment. Leaders, it's time for you to step up and make transparency and communication the norm, not the exception. Ready to shatter the illusion of control and embrace transparency? Start today, and watch your team's engagement soar.