Short & Entertaining Training & Communications

Speak Up and Communication

Guest Name

Some of the highlights include:

  • What is a Speak Up Culture?
    • Define it as creating a social environment where employees feel comfortable speaking up to ask questions and report concerns and they know the options for doing that.
  • Why is it so difficult to achieve?
    • Intertwine it with training – which means its infrequent
    • It’s usually boring and not particularly creative – dull posters
    • They make it “inspirational” which often comes off as preachy or inauthentic
    • Or perhaps they do a campaign but that campaign is once a year for a few weeks or worse, every other year.
    • This is largely ineffective
  • We’ve all heard the excuses.
    • Grew up with – It’s not cool to tattle. Don’t be a snitch
    • Nothing will happen anyway
    • Someone else will probably take care of it
    • I don’t want to get anyone in trouble
    • I’m a no drama llama
    • THEREFORE – you have to actually reverse this kind of thinking, which takes time.
  • How can you establish trust?
    • Comms are more important than training – continually promote and do so creatively so people pay attention and remember.
    • Transparency – share what happens – in aggregate. Tell stories.
    • Share the mechanics of the process
    • Make personal connections – you and your team need face time
    • Listen Up Culture – provide skills and resources for management – we do improv training to support that
  • Can you do this in the new WFH environment?
    • Sure. Comms are even more important.
      • Commercials during zoom meetings
      • Stories – discussion groups
      • Talk Shows & Podcasts – to get your face out there, answering questions.