Transparency is “At Our Core”—A Spotlight on One of Our Core Values

BARR Advisory’s core values set the foundation for everything we do. They’re at the forefront as we forge new partnerships, hire new associates, create new service lines, and more. That’s why we’ve put together “At Our Core”—a blog series that takes a deeper dive into each of BARR’s core values so you can see them in action. We’ve already explored “unparalleled support.” Today’s focus is on our core value of “transparency.” 

By offering transparency in all we do here at BARR, we build relationships based on respect, accountability, and trust. 

“BARR’s team is dynamic, open, honest, and transparent,” said Kristin Strand, associate consultant, cyber risk advisory. “The transparency here is unlike anything I’ve experienced at any other place I’ve worked.” 

“The transparency here is unlike anything I’ve experienced at any other place I’ve worked.”

The truth is, transparency is a value that could and should be implemented in any industry. It’s vital to the success of relationships, especially within the organization itself. 

“Transparency is especially important to me because for a team to work effectively together, they need to be able to be vulnerable, speak their minds, and hold each other accountable for their actions,” said Whitney Perez, one of the winners of BARR’s 2021 Transparency Award. “A lack of transparency leads to distrust, blaming, and gossip, which nobody has time for or needs.”

“Transparency is especially important to me because for a team to work effectively together, they need to be able to be vulnerable, speak their minds, and hold each other accountable for their actions.”

If Cody Hewell, quality manager, had to describe BARR in one word, he said it would be transparent. “I definitely think we live it day-to-day,” he said. “You know that if you need anything, especially from a client standpoint, that everyone on the team will be happy to give options and raise their hands to help.”

According to this Glassdoor article, “When an organization is more transparent with their employees, they tend to be more successful in several areas: they have increased employee engagement, stronger company culture, and transparency fosters a type of comfort that allows employees to freely communicate. A transparent work environment also helps employees feel valued and encourages creativity.”

“Our team is transparent, collaborative, and fun to work with,” said Whitney Lindsey, head of people and culture, when describing how she was drawn to the camaraderie of the BARR team here. “People at BARR care and take the time to do things right.”

“Our team is transparent, collaborative, and fun to work with.”

But this transparency goes beyond BARR’s internal peer-to-peer work environment. 

“We offer perspective to our clients by being transparent,” said Bronwyn Wilson, associate consultant, cyber risk advisory. “This builds trust and respect across clients and within our own teams.”

“We offer perspective to our clients by being transparent. This builds trust and respect across clients and within our own teams.”

In short, transparency is a driving force behind much of what we do at BARR. Next, we’ll shine a light on BARR’s core value “inclusive” during part three of our “At Our Core” blog series.

Looking for guidance on how to develop core values or other value-based statements your employees can rally around? Explore our People & Culture Services offerings or contact us.