Combating Workplace Challenges: Silence is the Enemy
Summary: Let’s explore why silence is the enemy at work. Did you ever wonder why so many competent individuals ignore that silent elephant in the room rather than speak out to be heard? Here’s the route to heightened workplace satisfaction.
Dear Dr. Sylvia,
As the head of a very creative and competent team, I thought we would be much further along with our projects at the beginning of this year.
It’s not happening!
For instance, when someone presents new ideas, too many sit quietly and nod their heads.
Very few are willing to disagree or state they have a more effective way to solve issues.
Are we in the minority?
I want a robust, challenging team to move the needle to new heights.
The silence is suffocating. Suggestions, please
Signed,
Loud and Proud of It
Dear L and P,
It describes a situation with apparent problems to everyone, but no one wants to discuss it.
It happens everywhere.
Let’s examine the “why” and what to do about it.
Communication Breakdowns
A dangerous vacuum forms when employees refrain from expressing their thoughts, concerns, or ideas. This leaves room for misinterpretation and misunderstanding.
Therefore, there are project delays, errors, and a general lack of cohesion within the team.
For example, imagine a team working on a critical project. If team members hesitate to voice their opinions or concerns, the project may proceed with flawed assumptions, leading to subpar results.
Often, when I coach teams, someone will call me aside and ask me if their idea is worth mentioning to the team.
I always suggest they speak out and risk embarrassment. It’s worth the risk, even if the suggestion is poorly received.
Better safe than sorry holds back progress
Who knows, sometimes what we think is not valuable will spark a thought, and someone will say, “How about if we take what Danielle said and do this or that?”
A super new idea often comes from what would have been dormant if you had not spoken up.
Like Nike says, “Just do it!”
Stifling Creativity
Creativity thrives in an environment that encourages open dialogue and diverse perspectives.
Silence stifles creativity by suppressing the free flow of ideas and innovation.
Thus, when individuals hold back their thoughts, the potential for groundbreaking solutions diminishes, and the organization may miss out on valuable opportunities for growth and improvement.
I saw this firsthand with a team in a brainstorming session. One member kept thinking his idea would be ridiculed, so he kept his ideas to himself.
He said the environment was not safe enough for him to risk, as he told me, “Being left with egg on his face.”
The team might settle for conventional solutions instead of exploring more inventive approaches.
Weeks later, a competitor created a brilliant marketing campaign using what was left unsaid.
Cultural Impact on Diversity and Inclusion
Silence can perpetuate an unhealthy work culture, especially regarding diversity and inclusion.
Employees from diverse backgrounds may hesitate to speak up due to fear of judgment or exclusion.
This silence can limit the richness of perspectives within the organization and hinder the development of a truly inclusive workplace.
Thus, in a meeting discussing workplace policies, an employee might remain silent about a suggestion for fear of being the only one with that viewpoint, leading to a missed opportunity for positive change.
I encourage everyone to risk being a “lightning rod.”
That means being willing to step into the path of anger and the intensity of many kilowatts of emotion that others are feeling and not expressing.
Leadership requires risk.
Leaders who remain silent are never the ones who lead effectively over the long haul.
Employee Satisfaction and Well-being
A workplace that neglects the importance of speaking the truth to power may inadvertently increase employee stress and burnout.
Accordingly, constant literal and figurative fear of talking out can lead to heightened tension, reduced job satisfaction, and decreased overall well-being.
Therefore, employees not being given adequate opportunities to “speak the unspeakable “about how meetings are run or someone labeled a “bully boss” can contribute to heightened stress levels and decreased productivity. Here is an example of a breakthrough meeting:
The two days off-site were about to end.
Sadly, while good work was done, the room still had tension.
Frustrated and disappointed, I was in charge of ending the session and
we end it with one word from each participant for closure.
The words were similar; some said “enlightened,” and others said “appreciative.”
It felt stale and rote.
Not all off-sites end well, especially when the elephant is still in the room,
wanting to be released.
Be open to the outcome, not attached to it
And then, one of the least likely team members, a quiet man who never
complained and rarely spoke up, said, “I cannot complete with one word. We
glossed over the issues about our discomfort with speaking and being heard by
our team leader. Like the rest of you, I pretended there was no issue with the
way plum assignments are sorted, and he is prone to have favorites.”
There was a collective sigh in the room.
The leader looked stunned and yet, miraculously, was willing to listen.
We stayed for another forty-five minutes. Progress in communication and new
strategies for giving assignments were discussed.
Whew! What we all learned was that positive change can come at the most
inconvenient time in surprising ways.
Fostering a Culture of Openness
A workplace that values speaking up as a tool for thoughtful reflection and expression can foster a culture of openness.
Encouraging employees to voice their opinions, share ideas, and actively listen. This promotes a positive work environment where everyone feels heard and valued.
For instance, In a team that actively encourages open communication, employees feel empowered to share their thoughts, leading to more robust problem-solving and improved collaboration.
In conclusion, when fear leads the way, silence is the enemy at work. Speaking out can enhance communication, increase creativity, and create a more inclusive and satisfying workplace.
Thus, by embracing the power of addressing what is happening in the room, organizations can create an environment that promotes innovation, fosters collaboration, and ultimately contributes to the team’s overall productivity.
To your success,
Sylvia Lafair
PS. Communicate to collaborate and find a better way to work together, have less stress, and have more productivity at work.