SPEAK UP
WHY IT MATTERS
If a leader can’t verbalize what they think and feel in decision-making, meetings, or conversations with other people, they can’t lead effectively. Silent leaders can’t lead. Leaders get people to follow them because they know what has to be done, have strong opinions, and say what needs to be said, in the right way, regardless of the consequences. Leaders that speak up make known where they stand, and give convincing reasons for why others should agree with them. They turn the tide on discussions, issues, and critical situations by voicing their opinions in a respectful but confident way. Leaders who don’t speak up prove their inability to lead and represent others through their inability to openly represent themselves.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders speak up and make their thoughts and feelings known. They understand that very little will ever be accomplished if people don’t verbalize the truth and say what they really think and feel. They know that without speaking up problems won’t get resolved, reality won’t get confronted, trust can’t get created, and the best ideas and innovations will go undiscovered because of silence.
Leaders that speak up have a moral code that requires them to act honestly and with complete integrity in all that they choose to say. They don’t speak up just to be heard. They speak up because they are committed to always give their best to advancing the success and interests of the organization. It is more important to them to be honest and keep their personal integrity than to hold back from saying what they really think in exchange for public acceptance, approval, or commendation.
Leaders that speak up are consistent in verbalizing what they think and feel. They don’t back down in the presence of anyone. Whether it is to an employee, peer, or leader, they don’t hesitate to share what they really think and feel. They don’t let important things go unsaid. They don’t allow the hard issues that others avoid fade away. If there is a truth everyone knows, but no one wants to confront, they make sure it gets raised in a tactful way. They expose what others wish they could say but don’t have the courage to say.
Leaders that speak up never speak out of anger, selfishness, resentment, self-interest, or spite. They speak up but can still maintain positive working relationships. They are wise enough to judge when to speak up, when to wait, and how to put their thoughts into words in the best way. They go just far enough in their level of intensity to make their point without being too extreme. They share their thoughts without attacking people or making them feel uncomfortable. They are always in control of their emotions.
Leaders that speak up are humble enough to admit when they are wrong. They are willing to take back or retract their statements. They are ok not being the one with the right answer all of the time. They see truth as a journey, and aren’t afraid to present a bad idea if it helps them to ultimately reach the right destination.
Leaders that speak up want the truth to be discovered, confronted, and considered. Their motivation is always the good of the organization and the good of the work, never their own selfish interests or a need for attention.
BELIEFS
BEST PRACTICES
SELF-REFLECTION
If a leader can’t verbalize what they think and feel in decision-making, meetings, or conversations with other people, they can’t lead effectively. Silent leaders can’t lead. Leaders get people to follow them because they know what has to be done, have strong opinions, and say what needs to be said, in the right way, regardless of the consequences. Leaders that speak up make known where they stand, and give convincing reasons for why others should agree with them. They turn the tide on discussions, issues, and critical situations by voicing their opinions in a respectful but confident way. Leaders who don’t speak up prove their inability to lead and represent others through their inability to openly represent themselves.
WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
Leaders speak up and make their thoughts and feelings known. They understand that very little will ever be accomplished if people don’t verbalize the truth and say what they really think and feel. They know that without speaking up problems won’t get resolved, reality won’t get confronted, trust can’t get created, and the best ideas and innovations will go undiscovered because of silence.
Leaders that speak up have a moral code that requires them to act honestly and with complete integrity in all that they choose to say. They don’t speak up just to be heard. They speak up because they are committed to always give their best to advancing the success and interests of the organization. It is more important to them to be honest and keep their personal integrity than to hold back from saying what they really think in exchange for public acceptance, approval, or commendation.
Leaders that speak up are consistent in verbalizing what they think and feel. They don’t back down in the presence of anyone. Whether it is to an employee, peer, or leader, they don’t hesitate to share what they really think and feel. They don’t let important things go unsaid. They don’t allow the hard issues that others avoid fade away. If there is a truth everyone knows, but no one wants to confront, they make sure it gets raised in a tactful way. They expose what others wish they could say but don’t have the courage to say.
Leaders that speak up never speak out of anger, selfishness, resentment, self-interest, or spite. They speak up but can still maintain positive working relationships. They are wise enough to judge when to speak up, when to wait, and how to put their thoughts into words in the best way. They go just far enough in their level of intensity to make their point without being too extreme. They share their thoughts without attacking people or making them feel uncomfortable. They are always in control of their emotions.
Leaders that speak up are humble enough to admit when they are wrong. They are willing to take back or retract their statements. They are ok not being the one with the right answer all of the time. They see truth as a journey, and aren’t afraid to present a bad idea if it helps them to ultimately reach the right destination.
Leaders that speak up want the truth to be discovered, confronted, and considered. Their motivation is always the good of the organization and the good of the work, never their own selfish interests or a need for attention.
BELIEFS
- People can always tell when someone just likes to hear their own voice. Don’t talk just to talk.
- Great organizational safety can be found when a diverse group of people are willing to speak up, share, and disagree.
- It is in the cauldron of conflicting ideas and thinking that the best decisions, ideas, and actions are formed.
- If you are afraid to speak up you will soon find yourself on the outside looking in when important discussions are held.
- Speaking up is about personal integrity. There is no knowledge worth more than the knowledge you are true to yourself.
- People can sense your motivation. Speaking up based on selfish or negative motivations can do more harm than good.
- People follow leaders with strong opinions who are willing to share them. Voiceless leaders can never gain true followers.
- The ability to speak up, despite personal consequence, is one of the signs of a true leader.
BEST PRACTICES
- Say what is on your mind at all times.
- Tell people the truth each and every time.
- Have strong opinions, but be willing to change.
- Use tact in sharing your feelings and perspective.
- Take things head on without procrastination.
- Take back what you say when it isn’t right.
- Create a culture where it is safe to speak up.
- Respect others who say what they think.
- Be bold but don’t be overbearing.
- Be open but don’t offend others carelessly.
- Have the courage to say what needs to be said.
- Don’t be intimidated into silence.
- Share information in a timely manner.
- Don’t hide the truth just to avoid conflict.
- Bring problems into the open for resolution.
- Expect other people to be open and honest.
- Don’t hide behind vagaries and half-truths.
- Speak up with tolerance and respect for others.
- Don’t be afraid to admit how things really are.
- Say what you really think when asked.
- Make it comfortable for others to speak up.
- Paint a picture of things as they really are.
SELF-REFLECTION
- Do I share what is on my mind when I think it, or do I let my thoughts and feelings go unspoken?
- Do I speak up when it is the right thing to do, regardless of personal consequences, or do I let fear silence me?
- Do I share what I have to say tactfully, or do I let my emotions make me come on too strong?
- Do I speak up because I want to make things better, or do I speak up because of selfish reasons or purposes?
- Do I consider it a matter of personal integrity to speak up when I have something I need to say, or do I not?
- Do I help ensure even the most uncomfortable truths are confronted, or do I let them go unspoken?
- Do I share my thoughts tactfully, or do I share them in ways that offend and put other people on the defensive?
- Do I listen to other people as much as I want them to listen to me, or do I fail to listen when others speak up?
- Don’t inadvertently silence other people because it seems like you always have something strong to say about everything.
- Don’t shut down conversation and debate because you share your thoughts in ways that are too overbearing.
- Don’t speak up until you have thought things through thoroughly and are sure you can defend your position.
- I have a reputation for saying what’s on my mind.
- I have a strict “open-door” policy.
- As long as it’s true, it’s easy for me to deliver a bad message.
- Depending on the issue, I will avoid conflict.
- I have no problem admitting when I’m wrong.
- There is nothing wrong with a “white lie”.