Before speaking truth to power can be considered virtuous, the act must meet several criteria:
- It must be truthful.
- It must do no harm to innocents.
- It must not be self-interested (the benefits must go to others, or to the organisation).
- It must be the product of moral reflection.
- It must come from a messenger who is willing to pay the price.
- It must have at least a chance of bringing about positive change (there is no virtue in tilting at windmills).
- It must not be done out of spite or anger.
This list is neither complete nor all-inclusive, and meeting each criterion requires considerable ethical analysis.
— Warren Bennis, Daniel Goleman, James O’Toole with Patricia Ward Biederman, “Transparency: How Leaders Create a Culture of Candor”, Page 56