As an executive coach and CEO, the most common topic I get from professionals is how to speak up in meetings at companies, startups, and nonprofit organizations. To provide you with tips for how to create a more healthy, profitable, and efficient workplace with open communication, let\u2019s look at the problems and solutions for both leaders and employees.<\/p>\n
Poor communication can become a critical performance issue that must be addressed immediately so innovations and ideas are heard. If leaders do not proactively address it, the problem can quickly snowball into disasters and even bankruptcy.<\/p>\n
For example, Nokia, Enron, and Star Princess Cruise Lines all closed, and poor communications was a contributor, according to Harvard Business Review<\/em> (https:\/\/hbr.org\/2012\/10\/the-silent-killer-of-big-companies<\/a>). Other companies that failed due to innovation lags include Eastman Kodak, Polaroid, Blockbuster, and Borders, according to Investopedia (https:\/\/www.investopedia.com\/articles\/investing\/072115\/companies-went-bankrupt-innovation-lag.asp<\/a>). If the executives had spoken up and\/or listened to their employees\u2019 ideas, they might still be open today.<\/p>\n Are you a\u00a0thermometer or\u00a0are you a\u00a0thermostat at work? Both devices deal with temperature, but their uses are different. A\u00a0thermometer\u00a0simply reflects the temperature, but a\u00a0thermostat\u00a0actually determines the temperature. A\u00a0thermostat\u00a0can be adjusted and suited to the needs of the room. The environment at work is an indicator of how much or how little people speak up. To encourage open communications, leaders need to both gauge the temperature as a thermometer when needed, and be the thermostat who listens and adjusts to their environment.<\/p>\n Based on our talent and development company working with many Fortune 500 organizations, small business leaders, and entrepreneurs, we\u2019ve observed that the most common reasons people choose to be silent in meetings include:<\/p>\n Trust <\/strong>is key in creating an open environment where ideas and opinions are welcome. When trust has eroded, it creates an unhealthy environment. This unease usually happens over a period of time and is attributed to small infractions of trust-breaking incidents. Ineffective communication<\/strong> such as destructive feedback, dismissing someone\u2019s point of view, or talking over others instead of actively listening can dissuade people from speaking up.<\/p>\n Speaking up is not easy for everyone. We asked a group of introverts and extraverts to share what they wanted the other group to know about them to reduce miscommunication.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what the introverts shared about what they want extroverts to know about them:<\/p>\n Here\u2019s what the extroverts shared about what they want introverts to know about them:<\/p>\n Leaders set the tone in the work environment. Much like the thermometer that reflects the temperature, leaders reflect the climate in the workplace. Leaders must adjust like a thermostat\u00a0to create an environment to suit the needs of the people in the room. They can do that in three ways:<\/p>\n To bring out ideas, use outcome-oriented-style questions. For example, \u201cIf we were to proceed with this new initiative, what do you think we need to make it successful<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n You also can use option-oriented-style questions. For example, \u201cThe new process will require us to use a new software. Which of the two software options do you think offers us the best value and is most cost effective<\/em>?\u201d<\/p>\n You also can use closed-ended questions that require a \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno\u201d answer or open ended questions that allow for more probing.<\/p>\n The unintended consequence of attacking a person\u2019s idea or opinion is eroded trust. When trust is present, people can express themselves freely without the fear of judgement. Leaders should encourage participation by openly and genuinely asking for input. Share the floor and engage in a round-robin discussion where everyone has an opportunity to contribute to the discussion. Offer other methods for contributing ideas such as a written contribution or in a one-on-one setting instead of a group setting.<\/p>\n Everyone plays a critical role in an organization, and healthy communication can make or break their success. Leaders, employees, entrepreneurs, volunteers, and board members all need to proactively use these new tools to speak up more in meetings.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" An executive coach\u2019s insights on communication problems and solutions.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2434,"featured_media":24544,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"cybocfi_hide_featured_image":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[16],"class_list":{"0":"post-24543","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-magazine","8":"tag-feature","9":"magazine_issues-april-2023"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nThe Problems<\/h2>\n
7 Common Reasons People Don\u2019t Speak Up<\/h2>\n
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How Lack of Trust Silences the Room<\/h2>\n
Different Perspectives Cause Miscommunication<\/h2>\n
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The Solutions: How Leaders Can Encourage Open Communication<\/h2>\n
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How Employees Can Actively Participate in Meetings<\/h2>\n
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