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.
- Sure. Comms are even more important.