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Transparency has made its way to the top of the business world's lexicon since the Enron fiasco and less than noble practices of the banking and housing industries. Its practice in the workplace can be a powerful force when executed with thoughtful dialog and meaningful execution. However, transparency taken to extremes has the potential to leave participants of the process feeling confused instead of enlightened.

Fishbowl interviews occur in a conference room with a glass wall that allows others to look in and if they wish, observe the process. In theory, this may sound like a good practice unless the waiting room for potential candidates is located just outside the fishbowl. This experience, which I can only describe as insensitive, was one I experienced recently.

I arrived for the interview fifteen-minutes early and was instructed to sign-in, read a short summary of the job responsibilities of the position for which I was applying for and by signing the summary acknowledge I was capable of accomplishing what was required. I did so and sat facing a large glass conference room in which four women were conducting business. I noted the nameplate next to the door of the conference room. I breathed a sigh of relief. The employer had sent a notice stating interviews for the post were being held in the Agave room. As a Life Coach, I have learned to observe the smallest of details because they provide numerous clues about people and environments. Since I was there to interview, I was paying attention to all the sights and sounds. I was using what Malcolm Gladwell , in his book Blink describes as "thin slicing."

In short order I had developed a friendly report with the Administrative Secretary. She was a tall, elegant woman, obviously well respected by the office occupants. Each visitor addressed her by first name, smiled, and engaged in meaningful personal chatter prior to getting to the business at hand. As a former Director of a medical clinic, I know that such conversations and pleasantries take place with employees you value and hold in high esteem. A UPS deliveryman made his way in to the office and was immediately greeted by name. His delivery was quickly taken and processes by the efficient and warm Administrative Secretary. I felt encouraged by her presence and hopeful that the work environment would be positive.

I continued to make observations. The meeting in the fishbowl continued. It was 5-minutes past the time of my interview. I watched the conference room attendees begin to gather their belongings and hugs and handshakes abound. Smiles were exchanged and the small talk continued. The occupants stepped out and the women seated at the front of the long conference table emerged with another women dressed in a bright lime green suite top and black skirt. They spoke pleasantly to each other as they passed by me. A few minutes passed and another woman from the glass conference room exited and walked towards me. She introduced herself and explained that she was part of the interview team and they were running a bit behind. She said they would be ready to begin my interview in a few minutes. I shook my head in affirmation and stated, "I understand, I have been in your shoes."

There are times in your life that take you by surprise and this was one of them. I had driven from Tucson to Phoenix, approximately 120 miles away, for the interview. I have worked as an Employee Wellness Consultant for the past five-years and my gut instinct told me that I had just witnessed the interviewing of the shoe in candidate and I was a placeholder to meet Equal Opportunity Employment (EOE) standards. When the committee reassembled in the fishbowl, the women in the bright lime green suite invited me in to the conference room. The formal routine of introductions and an overview of question selection was carried out. My mind swirled with thoughts of disappointment. I listened to each question and answered with the intent to display my many talents. I felt good about my performance. At the end of the fishbowl interview, each employee shook my hand and the woman in the bright lime green suite escorted me out to another room, the Agave room, where I took a 7-minute test, which evaluated my attention to detail. I felt somewhat relieved that the woman had walked the other candidate out to the same room to take the same test. Even if I was escorted to the Agave room in relative silence, it was better than my vision of the other candidate being walked to her car and given a kiss on the cheek and a wink as she was told, "I will call you when we make our decision."

I have seen the fishbowl interview executed but have never been the executer or the person interviewed in this transparent environment. Now that I have experienced the process, I can see how it can backfire. However, I believe the woman in the bright lime green suite never imagined how someone would feel if they witnessed what I saw. The truth could be that the candidate who went before me had never met the team and nailed the interview but I just do not think that was the case. Regardless, fishbowl interviews symbolize the transparency of a company but potential employees should have the assurance that they will not be exposed to the critical eye of those not associated with or currently employed by the company. Nor, should those interviewing for a position be subjected to witnessing the interview process of their competitors. Transparency continues to be important but the interview process should be done with respect, dignity, and some expectation of privacy.