Boards Quote by Ted Gup
“Every effort is made to control information. Secrecy is just one of the toggles on their control board. The mindset is in place, and they've done a lot of hiring over eight years, not just political appointees. And they've done a lot of firing or driving people out who might have countermanded or resisted. So, institutionally, it's not going to be simply a matter of flipping the switch to undo it. You're going have to bring in people dedicated to transparency, and you have to demonstrate that there are rewards for candor.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The New York Times, 2023
The quote warns that controlling information is a systemic, long‑term effort requiring dedicated transparent staff and incentives for openness.
In simple terms: Information control is built into institutions and needs ongoing transparency efforts.
Key Takeaway
Promote transparency and reward honesty.
Themes
control
transparency
institutional culture
power dynamics
Mood
cautious
critical
analytical
Type
advice
observational
political
When to use this quote
- government agencies
- corporate communications
- media organizations
- nonprofits
- public sector
Key Concepts
information governance
organizational behavior
accountability
Questions to Reflect On
- How can organizations embed transparency into hiring and promotion?
- What incentives effectively encourage candor?
A Different Perspective
Changing culture is slow and may face resistance from entrenched interests.
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