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<\/p>\nMost of us have found ourselves in this odd situation where we strongly disagree with a colleague\u2019s statement, but when it comes to speaking up\u2014we just sit there. Giving your honest opinion and defending your boundaries at work isn\u2019t exactly an easy thing to do.<\/p>\n
Many people don\u2019t like being in the spotlight of disagreement, yet all of us have to learn this skill to grow as a professional. The way you choose to communicate in the workplace is indicative of how your coworkers perceive you as an individual, colleague, manager, or leader.<\/p>\n
Yet the lack of transparent communication isn’t necessarily the employees\u2019 fault. Very often, a company\u2019s corporate culture simply doesn\u2019t provide for an environment where open communication is encouraged.<\/p>\n
In this blog post, we\u2019ll take a look at the reasons all of us should learn to speak up at work and why organizations should encourage their employees to speak freely.<\/p>\n
Let\u2019s dive right in, shall we?<\/p>\n
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Often, people think of speaking up as a high-risk, low-reward effort\u2014you\u2019re either right, and you get a pat on the back, or you\u2019re wrong, and you end up looking like a fool. While many of us may feel this way, this is very far from true. Let\u2019s take a look at why.<\/p>\n
Speaking up is about delivering honest feedback about other people\u2019s decisions or opinions, whether you\u2019re pointing out an injustice that someone has committed or pointing out a perspective that someone may have missed.<\/p>\n
Unfortunately, we\u2019ve somehow been conditioned to think that being wrong is bad. Yes, often bad decisions can lead us to undesired outcomes, but there\u2019s no such thing as a \u201cbad idea\u201d. Great businesses and products are built on effective ideation and an open mind. The key here is speaking up in a constructive manner.<\/p>\n
Merely voicing your opinion can bring your team to a valuable and elegant solution to a pressing issue. Think of it this way: you\u2019re a person that has been in a particular position or has been working in a specific industry for quite some time\u2014you\u2019re qualified to have an informed opinion.<\/p>\n
Sometimes, it\u2019s a good idea to take some more time before you communicate disagreement or criticism if you\u2019re not entirely sure that you\u2019re right. It’s also really important to carefully assess the situation and think things through. At the end of the day, you don\u2019t want to be seen as a \u201cloose cannon\u201d.<\/p>\n
Actively participating in conversations and providing your team with constructive criticism creates a wide array of opportunities that we don\u2019t anticipate. By showcasing your understanding of the industry, you create an image for yourself. Some of your valuable opinions can be shared with higher management, opening you up for growth and a new set of responsibilities.<\/p>\n
Silence is consent. Often, undesirable or unjust things happen at work. You\u2019re asked to come in on a Saturday without extra pay, upper management introduces a draconian new quota, your team leader makes a shortsighted decision that impacts your entire department\u2014whatever it is, being silent just doesn\u2019t make sense. If you don\u2019t speak up, probably no one will.<\/p>\n
Of course, it\u2019s prudent to follow your workplace\u2019s rules and protocols, but that does not mean that you have to actually agree with them.<\/p>\n
If you disapprove of someone\u2019s decision that influences you or the wellbeing of your colleagues\u2014provide them with constructive criticism. Not saying anything, in this case, comes with a price as well. You might eventually start treating your job with resentment, and you\u2019ll just end up bottling your emotions up, leading to professional dissatisfaction. Not speaking up can seriously harm our sense of self-worth. This can lead us to engaging in weird mental gymnastics to justify staying silent, which will slowly and methodically hinder our personal and professional growth.<\/p>\n
![\"Why](\"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Why-dont-people-speak-up-at-work.png\")
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In 2018, the Institute of Business Ethics (IBE) published a report named \u201cEthics at Work<\/a>\u201d that explores the state of ethics in the modern workplace. The report features a section dedicated exclusively to speaking up (page 41). In it, IBE provides the most common reasons people choose not to speak up at work. Here they are:<\/p>\n Obviously, people are worried about the potential repercussions that speaking up may bring upon them. But should they?<\/p>\n The same report continues to provide data on employee satisfaction with the outcome of their raising an issue. On average, 51% of people were either very or fairly satisfied with the action taken by superiors or peers after they\u2019ve communicated their concerns.<\/p>\n While 51% is nowhere near 100%, these are very, very good odds.<\/p>\n Becoming more open and forthcoming with your colleagues isn\u2019t easy, but it\u2019s definitely something you can do, especially if your approach is right.<\/p>\n Before you start changing your behavior, it\u2019s important to understand the reasons you have to change in the first place.<\/p>\n Breaking the silence and disagreeing with someone\u2019s opinion isn\u2019t easy\u2014and it\u2019s totally fine to feel this way. Most of us do. Think of it this way: you\u2019re put in a situation where you have to choose between behaving in an agreeable manner or standing up against something that you consider to be incorrect or unjust.<\/p>\n Humans are social animals; the mere thought of challenging the status quo in our environment feels dangerous.<\/p>\n Furthermore, for many of us, this fear is aggravated by past experiences and social conditioning, making the need to fit in even stronger. Here are a few common reasons:<\/p>\n As we mentioned previously, there\u2019s always risk and reward associated with speaking up. We don\u2019t want to expose ourselves to too much risk to gain nothing of substance. Let\u2019s explore a few situations when you should definitely consider communicating your honest opinion about things:<\/p>\n While the things that make us want to speak up might trigger a powerful emotional response in us, it\u2019s important to pause and think of how you\u2019ll raise the concern.<\/p>\n Start by making a commitment. Assess whether what you want to say should be said. Then, think of how you should approach them and choose your words carefully.<\/p>\n The conversation you\u2019re about to have is supposed to reinstate the boundaries that have been violated. Although you probably feel wronged, it\u2019s important to be mindful of the fact that you have the power to upset the people you\u2019ll be communicating with. While it may seem like something you want to do, or maybe even that they deserve it, speaking up is first and foremost about boundaries, not punitive justice. Therefore, it\u2019s critical to think about what to say and how to say it so that the person involved changes their behavior, not feel resentment. Having a productive conversation is a priority.<\/p>\n Planning what you say is also very important because you might start overexplaining your point. Speaking up can sometimes stun people, which makes them go silent for a while. Make sure you don\u2019t start filling the silence. Be brief, punchy and fair. That will help you get the point across.<\/p>\n You\u2019ve done the hardest part, but it\u2019s not over yet. It\u2019s time to gracefully ride the consequences of your speaking up. Yes, it\u2019s important to be prepared for them. Speaking the truth isn\u2019t easy, neither for the person saying it nor the person having to hear it.<\/p>\n Also, bear in mind that you may go through a brief period of vulnerability right after you\u2019ve had a complicated conversation, especially if you did it in front of other people. Stepping out of your comfort zone can come with a sense of discomfort and doubt. Don\u2019t worry, you did great. You stood up for what is right.<\/p>\n Always consider seeing a personal coach or a therapist if you feel like the aftermath of the conversation has a significant toll on your wellbeing. The path to growth has never been easy\u2014and that\u2019s totally fine. Embrace it. While it may seem too complicated at times, it\u2019s always worth the effort.<\/p>\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/How-do-I-start-speaking-up-at-work.png\")
<\/p>\n<\/span>How do I start speaking up at work?<\/span><\/h2>\n
1. Start by overcoming your fears<\/h3>\n
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2. Assess the situation<\/h3>\n
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![\"Plan](\"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Plan-your-approach.png\")
<\/p>\n3. Plan your approach<\/h3>\n
![\"Your](\"https:\/\/www.teamly.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Your-job-is-not-done-just-yet.png\")
<\/p>\n4. Your job is not done just yet<\/h3>\n