I have been, and continue to be very vocal when it comes to the importance of what I call the DNA of business, Vision, Mission and Values. It's nice to see that three years after I started to refer to these and the development of culture in business as DNA, that everyone is doing the same. More important than talking about though is actually doing it and today I want to talk about one aspect of developing the right culture in a business. It would be great if you would then contribute to this blog with your own opinions and experiences to share with other readers.

So today I want to look at the value of candour, which can be invaluable in your business. Candour is one of the rarest qualities in business and in life in general. It is so rare that it is highly valued. The art of speaking your mind and being honest, without hurting, is not easy, but is one of the traits which will define the difference between good and exceptional people – and not least true natural leaders.

If I could change one thing about people in general, it would be to give them the ability to use candour every day and to be able to accept the views of others, without offence. It's worth noting that the biggest enemy of candour, in both its delivery and receipt, is ego. Trust me on this: there is no room for ego – leave it outside. Develop the reputation of being someone who will give an honest answer, with respect.

We all experience anger, from time to time, in our business and personal life. The secret is to be constructive in the expression of such anger and not to lose control. Losing control will give you a feeling of temporary power, but that is about all. The damage it does is far more wide-ranging than a simple short-lived feeling of power. Add to that the effect which it has on your standing; you will see that you lose a good reputation and, worse still, those around you may start to see you as a tyrannical leader!

People never respond to intimidation, so stay focussed on expressing your frustration in a constructive manner which promotes better performance from the people with whom you work. Isolate the core issues and then start constructive dialogue. The thing to remember is that an angry outburst will make those around you take a defensive stance. Constructively expressing your concerns lets others stay open to learning and improvement.

Too many people in business and in their private life avoid having difficult conversations, preferring instead to ignore the issues and, in some cases, causing more issues by not talking than if they were to face it head on.

In leadership, this can be devastating to the entire business, as the leader can lose, through inaction, all credibility and also staff loyalty. Leaders are  expected to have difficult conversations and to make tough decisions, rather than seek popularity.

If you never hide behind others, you take responsibility, but remember that regardless of how difficult the conversation may be and how sensitive the content, respect those to whom you are talking and keep calm. Speak with integrity and, where appropriate, with passion and sincerity you'll win respect and reputation.

What do you think about this, do you have any examples you can share with me?