Three Reasons To Speak Up
If I challenge my boss, she will thank me. If I speak up for what is right, my boss will not persecute me. If I fight for my integrity despite pressure from above, I will always keep my job.
None of these results are guaranteed if I do the right thing. The only time I have a guarantee is if I stay silent. My silence guarantees things will stay the way they are. Speaking up is the only way change may happen.
Speak Up and Make Change Happen
Too many of us are stuck. We are stuck in situations where we feel powerless to make change happen. We are stuck in an organization or with a boss who is at best ineffective and at worst amoral. What should I do?
The Three Reasons To Speak Up
1. Things Could Change
By speaking up, I have given change a chance. An ineffective leader may need my insights and thrive on them. I had some very good people on my teams who challenged me when I was ineffective. They made me better.
2. My Integrity Is Intact
Whether or not I cause change to happen by speaking up, I will sleep better. My integrity is 100% in my control. Only I can choose to sacrifice it. Even the times I spoke up and was shot down, I knew I did my Duty to change the outcome. That always gave me peace no matter the outcome.
3. I Empower Others
By speaking out, I empower others. Courage attracts courage. My comments may not have immediate impact on the current situation. But, I have found that when I was willing to step out the next time, I often had a partner or two.
Silence Guarantees Results
If I want guaranteed results, then I need to stay silent. My silence will insure the status quo is maintained. In a situation where a team or organization is being led down the wrong path, I don’t like that option.
If things are bad enough for me to moan and groan to my peers or to my wife, but I say nothing to my leadership, I deserve the status quo. I have chosen a guaranteed result versus the possibility of improvement.
Silence Is Easy
Silence is the easiest route to take. I have done it. There is a lower possibility of encountering personal pain or upheaval. There is also a guaranteed possibility of continued misery in my current situation.
The Bottom Line:
The fact is I will never strike out if I stay in the on deck circle practicing my swing. But, if I want it to be possible for me to hit the ball, I need to step up to the plate and take a swing.
I might make contact! I might get a hit! I might even get a home run!
It’s not guaranteed, but speaking up makes change possible!
Question:
What situation have you avoided speaking up about?
Dave Anderson is coauthor of Becoming a Leader of Character – Six Habits that Make or Break a Leader at Work and at Home with his father General James L. Anderson (USA Retired).
You can find Becoming a Leader of Character on Amazon by clicking here:
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Hi Dave,
I landed here through Michael Hyatt’s website and enjoyed your post because I totally relate to this topic. When it comes to speaking up, it is hard for me.
I have had a personality where I would die fighting for what is right and I have been in trouble several times. Yet, like you said, I have received the peace of mind knowing that I did the right thing and I am willing to get into trouble many more times when it’s time to speak up to fight for a cause.
I appreciate you breaking down the three major important points as benefits of speaking up and you just gave one more thumbs up to me. Thank you!
Keep standing up for what is right Kumar. As my dad has said< "Doing the right thing is always the right thing to do."
Silence is also a very effective tool. I have been in situations that needed to be allowed to completely break before a fix could be implemented. If I had not been silent, it would only have prolonged the suffering. I always try to determine if I am making the situation better for just me, just my team, or for everyone involved.
Great point. Speaking up because it will make me look good is marketing not leadership.