What makes employees feel empowered to speak up?

• Main Authors: MADAN, Shilpa, NANAKDEWA, Kevin, SAVANI, Krishna, MARKUS, Hazel Rose
• Format: text
• Language: English
• Published: Institutional Knowledge at Singapore Management University 2021
• Subjects: choice; employee voice; culture; Organizational Behavior and Theory; Organization Development
• Online Access: https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/lkcsb_research/7377; https://ink.library.smu.edu.sg/context/lkcsb_research/article/8376/viewcontent/Research__What_Makes_Employees_Feel_Empowered_to_Speak_Up_.pdf
• Institution: Singapore Management University

Most managers understand that empowering employees to voice their opinions can help companies innovate and uncover their own shortcomings. However, this understanding does not seem to translate into action. Research shows that over 85% of employees remain silent on crucial matters because they worry about being viewed negatively. How can managers encourage employees to speak their minds at work? The authors’ new research identified a novel method to encourage employees to exercise their voice: creating a company culture that emphasizes the idea of choice. They found that employees were more likely to share their ideas and opinions at a company whose culture emphasized the idea that people always have a choice