Everyone knows the story of the emporer who had no clothes. Think back to when you first heard that story. Most people felt sorry for the emperor even if they agree he brought it upon himself. Who felt sorry for his subjects?
As leaders, our focus is to ensure our employees feel safe. One of the best ways to do so is to encourage openness and honesty in the sharing of ideas and, no less than equally, in expression of dissent or frustration.
Those who know me in the workplace know an oft repeated cautionary phrase of mine is “The emperor has no clothes does no one any favors.” Let’s examine the truth within that phrase.
The Employee Perspective
Have you worked for someone that made you feel you couldn’t speak openly or had to shade the truth to avoid upsetting them? Think back to how that felt (or feels).
Employees need to have a relationship with you and each other where they feel safe to express themselves. This is done by establishing a safe space for discussion, being unafraid to show your frustrations and emotions, showing genuine care, kindness, and interest, and establishing there is no reprisal if they do the same.
Employees who are safe to express themselves:
- Are more willing to share
- Report greater job satisfaction
- Feel supported, even if you disagree with their input
If leaders do not foster an open, honest environment they risk losing valuable team members.
The Leader Perspective
Our people suffer if we introduce an environment where candor is held against them. We cannot forget an environment of professionalism and decorum is paramount. However, those whom we serve must feel free to express their ideas openly and speak truthfully at all times.
Have you ever led (or are you leading) a team where there was no trust and open expression of ideas and feelings? Maybe you inherited such a team. How has that impacted your business?
Perhaps you can’t answer because people are too afraid to share a flaw or volunteer an opinion out of alignment with the current group thought (or the conclusion they expect you to reach).
Leaders who encourage open environments:
- Receive more information to improve decisions
- Retain and attract great employees
- Minimize inherent bias in teams, especially in functional vs cross functional teams
Choose not to be the emperor who didn’t receive the input necessary to make a wise decision for their organization.
To ensure that outcome, develop the confidence to express your feelings, bravery to allow others to express theirs, and humility to react and respond with empathy. In doing so, both you and your employees will thrive.
Pandemic/Remote Work addendum
Only if you have cultivated an environment of trust and candor can you continue when not face to face with your employees.
This is not the environment to start working on this much needed shift in how leaders engage employees.
However, even if you have established trust and relationships, be careful to ensure discussions and feedback happen in video sessions or via phone to the maximum extent possible. Otherwise, you or other employees risk offending/alienating team members in the absence of facial expression or vocal tone.