Fear and Silence
Fear is one of the biggest obstacles to effective communication within an organization, and it can have countless other negative effects on a company. The most damaging of these effects is the creation of a climate of silence - supporting the notion of undiscussables.
Undiscussables are those secrets that almost everyone knows: problems with office politics, bad managerial practices, ethical issues, decision-making procedures and the list goes on. Don’t let the term fool you though. Undiscussables are talked about. In fact they are often talked about at length in the hall, the bathroom, on breaks and after work. They are discussed in secret and talked about in every place but the right place - a forum where the issue has the best chance for resolution.
Back to the fear issue: “undiscussables” develop because there is a climate of fear that exists within the organization. People are fearful of the repercussions that may come with speaking up and trying to make these issues “discussable.” If employee feedback is not a common practice and doesn’t receive the support it deserves, people will most likely remain silent and refrain from giving their point of view.
You wanna talk about irony? Just take a closer look at why employee fear develops: managers’ fear of negative feedback. Fear is both the cause and effect - and that’s a problem that shouldn’t be ignored.
So, how can you move toward a place where you can discuss these undiscussables? Here are three ESSENTIALS when it comes to opening a forum for the undiscussables.
1. Blame-Free Forum
If you are going to discuss an issue, the people involved should feel as if there is an actual discussion taking place. If they feel as if blame and judgment are already established, they will shut down and feelings of mistrust will almost always ensue.
2. The Appropriate Forum
Some issues should be addressed in a large group setting, but there are certain circumstances that are better handled one-on-one. Make sure you take the time to really assess which setting is the best. Ask for advice if you aren’t 100 percent sure.
3. An Open Forum
Focus on the very thing that has likely caused fear to emerge within the company. Be open to feedback. In fact, seek it out. The discussing of “undiscussables” is a new concept for you. It may take more than one attempt to get the process working right. By collaborating on the issue, you can make that happen much more effectively and efficiently.
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4 Responses to “Fear and Silence”
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you do not know when to stop do you?
wakadoo, what in the hell are you talking about?
People that have to tell you how creative they are, usually aren’t.
People that feel the need to criticize others for their choice of expression are people I will continue to welcome with each new post on my blog. So, welcome, dwayne!