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Your employees are smart; that’s why you hired them. So…

“Your employees are smart; that’s why you hired them. So treat them that way. They know when you deliver a message that has been heavily massaged. When managers explain what their plan is without giving the reasons for it, people wonder what the “real” agenda is. There may be no hidden agenda, but…” quote by Ed Catmull
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““Your employees are smart; that’s why you hired them. So treat them that way. They know when you deliver a message that has been heavily massaged. When managers explain what their plan is without giving the reasons for it, people wonder what the “real” agenda is. There may be no hidden agenda, but you’ve succeeded in implying that there is one. Discussing the thought processes behind solutions aims the focus on the solutions, not on second-guessing. When we are honest, people know it.””

Ed Catmull

About This Quote

This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.

Transparent communication builds trust; explain reasoning, not just decisions, to avoid hidden‑agenda suspicion.

In simple terms: Explain why, not just what.

Key Takeaway

Share reasons behind decisions.

Themes

leadership communication trust

Mood

thoughtful professional

Type

advisory inspirational

When to use this quote

  • team meetings
  • project briefings
  • performance reviews

Key Concepts

psychology organizational behavior

Questions to Reflect On

  • How can you make your reasoning visible?
  • What habits reveal hidden agendas?
A Different Perspective

People may still doubt motives if past actions were opaque.

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