As societal challenges impact us at every turn, how we speak up and listen is more important than ever. The ability to use our effective communication skills are essential now with emotions and uncertainty at every turn. As readers, you know that we have and continue to hold the NeuroLeadership Institute in the highest regard since its inception by David Rock back in 2008. The commitment to the research on leadership and how to truly inspire and motivate others has done exactly that for Results Coaching Global. The NLI individual research on SCARF, on Performance Reviews, on Motivation is life changing for leaders today.

For that reason, we would like to share one of NLI very pertinent flyers that again teaches and informs on the importance of communication and “Speaking Up.” And of course, to speak up and maintain a safe environment will only happen by using your coaching language and tools. As spoken about last month, committed listening to really hear another’s point of view; paraphrasing skillfully to ensure the speaker feels heard and understood and always presuming positive intent continually believing the best in others. Reflective feedback are the words that identify the value or value potential of what another is doing and offers powerful questions to safely push and encourage deep thinking about what they want and how to get it. When a culture has skillful, respectful, and highly effective communication tools in place …Speaking up holds the potential to…

Raise voices sooner, get results faster. (Source: NLI, 2020)

Speaking Up: The communication of ideas, suggestions, or concerns about work-related issues with the intent to improve rather than to merely criticize organizational processes.

We know that gathering diverse viewpoints leads to more creative, innovative solutions. So why do only 3 in 10 U.S. employees, according to Gallup poll data, feel their opinion counts at work?

NLI’s research suggests it comes down to psychological safety: the feeling that others will listen to your ideas, even the most challenging ones.

• Leaders who want to raise their employees’ voices should embrace – and embed – key habits that make people more psychologically safe to speak up.
• Leaders who want to raise their employees’ voices should embrace – and embed- key habits that make speaking up less threatening and more rewarding for all parties involved.

NeuroLeadership Institute Perspectives: 7-2020
We are grateful to NLI for all the research they do and share, via webinars, books and research papers. Permission requested and compiled by Kathy Kee.