Recently, I received a LinkedIn request from an acquaintance who stays home with her kids. Her job title read, “Communications professional taking a career pause to raise our littles full-time.” My first response was one of excitement—I didn’t know she worked in communications—we had more in common than I realized.
What struck me most, though, was how refreshingly honest she was about her career pause. It reflects a growing cultural shift toward greater transparency in the workforce. Rather than trying to hide a gap, owning it offers a fuller, more human view beyond the bullet points of a résumé.
As a storytelling agency, we try to begin our client partnerships with that same kind of openness. During our discovery and alignment phase, we talk with stakeholders to understand the organization from all angles—the history, the perception, the inner workings, what’s thriving, and what’s struggling. It’s not always easy. These conversations can be raw. Rather than seeing immediate results, this process often feels like a ‘step back.’
However, by approaching client discovery with our core values in mind—empathy, curiosity, and humility—we uncover not only who an organization is today, but who they want to become, and how to bridge the gap between the two.
I felt the impact of this recently while interviewing staff at a longstanding organization reimagining their brand. I hesitated before asking a question that touched on a negative reputation—but I asked anyway. Their response offered crucial insight that wouldn’t have surfaced otherwise.
Right now, we’re helping many clients navigate big transitions—hiring, reworking org charts, launching new brands, redefining missions. This kind of work is rarely linear. It’s messy, challenging, and deeply human. But when organizations embrace transparency and lead with their values, that’s when meaningful transformation begins.
Our work—and the voices of a generation insisting on authenticity—remind us that clarity doesn’t come from perfection. It comes from the truth. As Brené Brown says, “Clear is kind.” And that applies not just to people, but to organizations too.
Avoiding uncomfortable conversations might spare a moment of awkwardness, but in the long run, it keeps us from the growth, alignment, and trust that real clarity can bring. When we choose honesty—even when it’s messy—we give ourselves and others the opportunity to move forward with purpose.
So whether you’re a parent re-entering the workforce, a leader steering your team through change, or a brand working to align your mission with your impact, know that truth-telling is a powerful strategy. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it.
-Virginia
