The Importance of Working With a Diversified Team Who Have the Courage to Speak Up

One of the most important things I have learnt when building businesses is that it is the team employed at the company who generates value and authenticity.

In order to be socially responsible and progressive in today's culture, you need to surround yourself with a team who have the courage to speak up. Debates can have a reputation for causing division in offices, but I believe they leverage some of the best ideas and allow my team to see the bigger picture and invite employees to bounce off each other.

Unfortunately, at a time where businesses are increasing their transparency, staffs are becoming afraid to speak what is truly on their mind. At 1 People I strongly encourage we do both, how you express your opinions at work and socially is a key way of reflecting your values and beliefs. Ahead of employing my team at 1 People, there were not only interviews to discuss talent and experience in regards to their career but also extensive questionnaires for candidates to complete to ensure their personality and values align with our ethos. The main reason for this is that people's identity can normally get misunderstood in work environments and interviews due to fear of using their voice.

At 1 People we believe speaking-up fuels discussion, innovation and group-thinking. It is very important to discuss issues in order to get input, feedback and invite perspective, this is also why I openly talk about my flaws or mistakes with my team. Showing you can make mistakes and that you are a human being and not just a leader is how you establish honesty and trust. Myself and my team are both very oriented toward the same personal dream and objective. We want to grow in life not just as leaders but as human beings who  want to make a difference and a better tomorrow for our planet and the people within.

Of course my team and I have faced a variety of struggles with getting different cultures to align with and around a common objective or purpose, understanding concepts of communication can prove difficult especially if the cultures in a workplace are very different. Another, but also cultural struggle can be around the very difference in work culture and mindset in the way people perceive what we need to succeed, but also how people in different ways approach it and their work and career. However, even though this can be extremely challenging this also brings a huge growth potential as a leader. 1 People benefit from being a diversified team with staff from a variety of backgrounds, utilising lived experience and knowledge to strengthen our global mindset and inclusivity.

The key is to remain consistent in meetings, your voice must be balanced and objective. As it is true that you can say too much and create too much noise and confusion or on the other hand stay silent and allow others to interpret your ideas and execute the plan or project based on assumption. That being said, here are the top six reasons employees must voice their opinions consistently at work;  accelerates their career, solidifies the brand, unexpected opportunities, strengthens influence, commands respect and enhances organisational performance.