As an owner or manager, you want to know when employees feel bullied or stressed out by their workload or have knowledge of problems in your company. You also want them to speak up with any ideas they have to help you grow your business. A recent Harvard University study found that one out of six employees is fearful of speaking up.
Here are some tips to help employees communicate with you or their supervisors:
1) Help employees develop new skills
Invest in programs that teach employees new skills and new ways to be efficient and that motivate them to reach their personal and professional goals.
2) Show them they are valued
When people feel valued, they enjoy their job more and are more open to making connections with co-workers and managers.
3) Give them practice
Meet weekly with employees for the purpose of gaining their trust, building their confidence and helping them get experience speaking their minds in meetings.
4) Create a culture of feedback
Let employees know that you expect constructive feedback so you can do your job better. E-mail is a good communication mode for people who tend to be soft spoken.
5) Ask yourself what your role is
If employees are not speaking up about their problems, concerns and feedback, it may be that the problem lies with you, not with them. A simple exercise in self-awareness - simply asking yourself how you may be contributing to an employee's reluctance to speak up - will go a long way toward helping you understand your role in creating a culture of intimidation.
Crystal Barnes
Employees
WT's Enterprize Challenge 
