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Help your workforce be heard

Finding their voice at work • 2 min read


Research from the University of Pennsylvania, involving 405 employees across multiple companies, revealed that the reasons for either speaking up or staying silent relate to consequences as well as their motivations.


The study concluded that silence, and keeping our opinions to ourselves, impacts on our wellbeing and can potentially contribute to burnout and loss of self-esteem.

 

Introduction

At times, it’s challenging for employees to bring their full selves to work. Many find it difficult to speak up and express themselves, especially in critical moments.


In this post, we’ll explore the impact of employees holding back and how encouraging expression can enhance engagement and decision-making within your organisation.


The cost of silence in your workforce

Encouraging your employees to speak up is critical to the success of your organisation. When employees remain silent, their unique perspectives and insights are lost, which can hinder innovation and affect decision-making quality. Employees may feel their ideas are undervalued, which can lead to frustration and disengagement.


Leadership often correlates with an ability to contribute meaningfully to discussions, and employees who suppress their ideas may feel sidelined or underappreciated. This can impact overall productivity and morale, especially when employees are not encouraged to share their thoughts.


Why employees struggle to speak up

Do any of the following challenges sound familiar within your teams?


  • Employees may feel their opinions are not respected, so they choose not to speak up.

  • Intimidation by more self-assured colleagues can prevent individuals from contributing.

  • Fear of being overlooked or interrupted in discussions may discourage participation.

  • Employees may hold back to avoid the fear of sounding unqualified or unprepared.

  • A lack of confidence may stem from ideas that seem basic or already considered by others.

  • Some employees may avoid conflict and prefer not to “rock the boat” in meetings.

  • Employees who are newer to the organisation or team may be intimidated by hierarchy and feel their voices don’t matter.

  • Fear of negative feedback or past experiences of being dismissed can prevent employees from voicing their opinions.


Why employees stay silent: Understanding the root causes

Employees often hesitate to speak up for a range of reasons, including:


  • Fear of exclusion or being ostracised by peers.

  • A desire to avoid embarrassment or negative feedback.

  • Past experiences of being dismissed in meetings, especially by dominant voices.

  • The pressures of organisational hierarchy or being new to a team.


When employees are hesitant to speak up, they lose valuable opportunities to contribute and feel less connected to the organisation's objectives. By understanding and addressing these barriers, leaders can foster a more inclusive, communicative environment.

 

Key takeaways

  1. Employees may struggle to speak up due to fear of judgement or exclusion, which can stunt their development and lead to disengagement.

  2. Promoting open dialogue within teams can help employees build confidence, allowing them to showcase their leadership potential.

  3. Suppressing ideas within teams can lead to frustration, decreased morale, and a lack of confidence, ultimately affecting organisational success.

 

Think big, act small

To help employees overcome their fears and contribute more effectively, leadership should focus on building a culture of trust and open communication. Start by creating an environment where employees feel comfortable and confident in sharing their ideas, regardless of the situation.


In other posts, we explore practical methods to help your employees find and amplify their voices within the organisation.

 

Content sources

  • Forbes, Adi Gaskell, ‘Why People Don’t Always Speak Up At Work’

  • Forbes, Jennifer Reimert, ‘Four Ways To Find Your Voice At Work’

  • Forbes, Chrissy Scivicque, ‘How To Find Your Voice At Work’

  • Harvard Business Review, Tijs Besieux, Amy C. Edmondson, and Femke de Vries, How to Overcome Your Fear of Speaking Up in Meetings

  • Harvard Business Review, Khalil Smith, Heidi Grant, and David Rock, ‘How to Speak Up When It Matters’

  • Harvard Business Review, 2019, Alison Shapira, ‘How to Speak Up in a Meeting, and When to Hold Back’

  • Mindtools.com, ‘How to Get Your Voice Heard in Meetings’

  • Psychology Today, Carol S. Pearson Ph.D., ‘Leadership Lessons for Effectively Speaking Up.’

  • Psychology Today, Mark Minikas, ‘Do You Dare Speak Up in Your Company?’

  • TedEx, Jennifer Brown, ‘Finding your voice in the workplace’

  • Thriveglobal.com, Gerry J. Tucker “3 Keys to Finding Your Voice in the Workplace’

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