Speaking Up for Your Colleagues Increases Productivity and Reduces Turnover.

Last week I wrote about how to speak up for yourself .

It is equally important to speak up for others.

Are you seeing colleagues get interrupted, talked over or ignored in meetings?

In fast-paced or competitive settings, it’s common for some people to feel like they aren’t being heard. When people are talked over, it doesn’t just hurt them—it also stops the team from fully benefiting from everyone’s ideas. This is especially true for team members from diverse backgrounds who may already feel sidelined. Supporting each other is a powerful way to make your workplace more inclusive and effective.

Here are some simple strategies to help everyone’s voice be heard.

1. Be an Ally and Make Sure Others’ Ideas Get Noticed

Awareness is Everything

One of the best ways to support others is to NOTICE when their contributions are overlooked. For example, if a colleague—especially someone who might feel left out—is interrupted, you can step in by saying, “I’d like to hear what Priya was saying,” or “That’s a good point, Benita, can you tell us more?”

Cultivate your awareness. LISTEN. NOTICE.

When you acknowledge someone else’s input, it shows that their thoughts matter. That THEY matter. It also benefits the organization, by making teams work better and reducing turnover.

2. Repeat What They Said

Sometimes we have to hear something twice before we notice. If a colleague has been talked over, you can reinforce their voice by repeating what they said and asking them to say more.

It’s even more powerful when an ally repeats the idea and gives attention back to the original speaker.? When you handle interruptions calmly and politely, it sets a standard for the team.

When you notice someone being cut off—especially someone who might find it hard to speak up — guide the conversation back to them by saying, “Let’s make sure we hear what Jose was saying,” or invite that person to finish.

3. “That was MY idea!”

Have you ever seen a quiet person suggest an idea, be dismissed, then 5 minutes later someone else proposes the same idea and is applauded??

Alas it happens all the time, especially to women.?

Often, the reason for this is that the loud person wasn’t listening to the quiet person but heard the idea subconsciously. So they repeat the idea, thinking that they had originated it.

If nobody speaks up on behalf of the quiet person, it will BECOME the loud person’s idea, thus reinforcing the pain of the person whose idea was stolen.

Listen.

Speak up.

Be an ally.

And of course, the more you are an ally for others, the more they will be an ally for you.

By helping each person feel heard, you contribute to a culture where diverse voices are valued. Start looking for small ways to support your colleagues in the next meeting—it could be as simple as asking them to finish their thought. With every supportive act, you’re helping create a stronger team where everyone’s ideas are welcome.

Everybody wins.

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Hi, if we haven't met yet, I’m Elizabeth Bachman, Presentation Skills Trainer, Executive Coach, and former International Opera Director.

I work with high-level executive women who “have a seat at the table” but still aren’t listened to.? Thus, they see promotions and recognition go to louder, flashier people.? (Sometimes people they have trained.)

I help hundreds of leaders become Visible & Valued? so they get the raise, the promotion or the exciting new job that will give them the recognition they deserve.

“Shift the way you’re perceived by shifting the way you communicate.”

If you want YOUR voice to be heard, book a call at www.TalkToElizabeth.com .

No Selling.

Just Talk.

Learn more at https://elizabethbachman.com/