What is the key to creating a "speak up" culture?

Summary

The speaker emphasizes the importance of collaboration in leadership and management, valuing diverse perspectives to enhance teamwork and innovation. They highlight how listening to employees, communities, and customers fosters an open environment, encourages honesty, and mitigates risks. The company's culture-building and training efforts are designed to reinforce these values, which are also reflected in the performance appraisal system. The speaker appreciates being evaluated on collaboration and diversity, as it allows them to be authentic, and they aim to create a safe space for open communication and problem-solving within their organization.

Takeaways

• 🤝 Collaboration is central to the speaker's management style.
• 👂 The speaker values listening to everyone’s ideas, acknowledging that no one person knows everything.
• 🌱 Culture building and training are emphasized to reinforce collaboration within the company.
• 📈 Collaboration and diversity are key factors in the speaker's performance appraisal system.
• 🌟 The speaker appreciates being evaluated on collaboration, as it allows them to be authentic and shine.
• 🗣️ The speaker encourages open communication, even when employees have difficult or uncomfortable topics to discuss.
• 😌 The speaker strives to create a calm and open environment, making it easier for employees to share concerns.
• 👀 Employees can offer perspectives that the speaker may not see, helping to avoid potential risks.
• 🌍 The speaker extends this open approach beyond employees to communities and customers as well.
• 💡 By fostering openness and listening to diverse ideas, the speaker believes innovation can emerge.

Q & A

What is the speaker's approach to management?

The speaker's approach to management is based on collaboration. They believe in listening to everyone’s input, as no single person can know everything. Through collaboration, the team can work better together and use everyone's ideas.

How does the company promote collaboration among its employees?

The company promotes collaboration through culture building, training, and reinforcement. It’s also embedded in the performance appraisal system, where managers are assessed on their ability to collaborate, work on teams, and value diversity.

How is the speaker’s performance appraised as a manager?

The speaker’s performance is appraised based on collaboration, teamwork, and valuing diversity. These factors are part of the company’s performance appraisal system for managers and leaders.

Why does the speaker appreciate the company’s performance appraisal system?

The speaker appreciates the company’s performance appraisal system because it allows them to be themselves, shine, and be valued for their collaborative approach to leadership.

How does the speaker handle difficult conversations with employees?

The speaker tries to create a calming environment for employees who come with tough or uncomfortable issues. They emphasize open communication, encouraging employees to share their thoughts, knowing that they can work through problems together.

Why does the speaker prioritize listening to employees?

The speaker prioritizes listening to employees because they can see things the speaker may not notice. By listening, the speaker can avoid greater risks for the company. Ignoring employees' perspectives could lead to blind spots and potential problems.

What does the speaker believe can be achieved through open communication?

Through open communication, the speaker believes that innovation can be achieved. By listening to employees, communities, and customers, the company can gain insights that lead to new ideas and improvements.

How does the speaker's personal behavior reflect their management approach?

The speaker demonstrates their collaborative management approach through personal behavior. They encourage open communication, invite difficult conversations, and model the value of listening and teamwork.

How does the speaker feel about employees bringing difficult issues to them?

The speaker welcomes employees to bring difficult issues, emphasizing that no one has the complete picture. They prefer employees speak up, as it helps identify problems and fosters a more open and transparent work environment.

Why does the speaker believe diversity of thought is important?

The speaker believes diversity of thought is important because it brings different perspectives that contribute to better decision-making and innovation. Valuing diverse ideas helps the team work together more effectively and creatively.