Promoting Employee Dialogue

“The important thing in communication is to hear what isn’t being said.” ?- Peter Drucker

Studies consistently show that employees are reluctant to speak up, ask questions and are even hardwired to remain silent. Why is this the case, and how can we help people voice their opinions at work more effectively? How can we help our employees stay curious?

Employees speaking up with ideas, concerns, opinions, or information — is vital for?organizational performance and innovation. On the flip side, silence is at the root of many well-known?organizational disasters.

For Global Organizations, it is important that employees can communicate with their counterparts located in different parts of the world effectively overcoming language, cultural and perceptual barriers.

Employees withhold voice because they?think it will not be heard or fear it may backfire?by embarrassing their managers or damaging their own reputations. These reservations are reasonable. Other reasons could be related to their personality, upbringing, culture, and negative impact of the educational system.

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How do we address this problem?

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Here are some thoughts you can consider –

The key is for employees to truly believe that their speaking up can have a positive impact on them, their team, and for the wider organization.?If they lack this belief, then it makes speaking up much less appealing.

For example, employees are more likely to speak up when they believe their?leader encourages?and?solicits their opinions. By contrast, when leaders punish employees who dare to speak up with concerns or ideas,?such as by publicly reprimanding them, voice dwindles quickly.

As Jack Welch puts it: “The key to get a hundred people to speak up is to publicly reward the first one who does. Highlight and reward people who take a risk and raise crucial issues. In a public forum, praise individuals who surface sensitive problems or challenge management.”

Build a culture in the organization that encourages employees to stay curious. Share examples that demonstrates curiosity leading to solving complex problems.

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How can leaders help?

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Although we can’t change someone’s personality, leaders can create more welcoming environments?that support and encourage voice.

Communicate relentlessly.

Communicate information, thoughts, and ideas clearly — and frequently — in different media. Keep processes open and transparent and find ways to help smooth the path of communication for your team, employees, or organization. Shed all traces of detachment and arrogance. Take the time to talk to your people.

Simplify and be direct.

Say what you mean. Be direct. Don’t hide behind complexity or pile on a ton of information. Direct communication can be the most important type of communication.?

Illustrate through stories.?

When you tell a good story, you give life to a vision, goal, or objective. Telling good stories creates trust, captures hearts, and minds, and serves as a reminder of the vision. Plus, people find it easier to repeat a story or refer to an image or quote. Communicating this way to your team will help them feel you are much approachable and easier to connect with.

Listen

Seek out, and then listen to, individuals from all levels of the organization. Let team members know they are valuable, show empathy toward them, and create psychological safety so people feel comfortable speaking up. It will show those you lead that you care about both them and the organization.?

Also, be okay with silence. Encourage the other person to offer ideas and solutions before you give yours. Demonstrate an interest in, and respect for, your employees — this builds trust and makes the emotional connection that’s so important.

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Encourage input

When asking for input, prompt with some questions. For example:

• What is the logic for this idea and is there evidence to support it?
• How might we implement it and overcome barriers?
• How does this fit within the organization’s priorities and/or help other employees?
• What is new about this idea that we haven’t tried before?

These questions can produce higher quality ideas that will benefit employees, leaders, and organizations alike.

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Affirm with actions.

While effective leaders master the art and craft of language, speak clearly, and present logical and compelling arguments, skilled leaders also know that communication goes beyond words. If people hear one thing from you but see another, your credibility is shot. People need to trust you. Your behavior and actions communicate a world of information — so focus on alignment and be clear on the messages you send even when you aren’t saying anything.?

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The bottom line is, breaking the silence and encouraging employees to speak up can bring an outpouring of fresh ideas from all levels of the organization. Some of these ideas might just raise the organization’s performance to a whole new level.

Please feel free to share your views in the comments section.