When Transparency Bolsters Your Authority

Financial guru Suze Orman is known for telling it like she sees it.

So last week when she discovered she needed a complex surgery (with a lengthy recuperation time) immediately, she recorded a special message in lieu of her usual podcast.

It was exceedingly powerful. She spoke directly to her audience, explained what was happening and how her podcast team of two would hold the fort (freshly edited “re-runs” of favorite episodes) until she could return.

Her voice was strong, upbeat and very Suze. Then her wife KT joined briefly—adding a touching personal element of emotion to ask for good wishes.

Later, they posted a couple of updates on their social sites and in the new recordings—it felt like exactly the right balance of truth and transparency without over-sharing.

This level of transparency for a public figure isn’t required—many choose to keep their health struggles private.

But when you’re known for candor, it’s important to find the right balance to keep the trust your audience has invested in you.

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