Working It

What can I do when my employees are afraid to speak up?

Apr 2, 2024

The podcast delves into Boeing's safety issues and employee silence, discussing the importance of encouraging staff to speak up. It explores willful blindness in the workplace, the risks of defensiveness in leadership, and fostering a speak-up culture to promote integrity and innovation.

14:51

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Quick takeaways

Creating a safe space for open communication fosters loyalty among employees.

Recognizing the importance of addressing uncomfortable topics promotes organizational transparency.

Deep dives

Recognizing the Significance of a Speak-Up Culture in Companies

Creating an environment where discussing challenging issues without fear of reprisal is crucial for understanding the company's operations. Encouraging a culture where individuals feel safe to voice concerns fosters loyalty among employees. Leadership plays a central role in promoting a speak-up environment, with top management setting the tone for open communication.

Introduction

2min

Exploring Boeing's Struggles with Employee Silence

1min

Understanding Willful Blindness in the Workplace

2min

Encouraging Employee Voice and Overcoming Defensiveness in Leadership

2min

Fostering a Speak-Up Culture

8min

US aircraft maker Boeing has faced major scrutiny over its safety standards in recent years, after accidents – some catastrophic – involving its jets. But even after fatal incidents, and the recent mid-flight blowout of a door panel on one of its planes, its employees are reluctant to speak out about safety issues, according to a report released in February by the Federal Aviation Administration. How can managers and leaders better encourage employees to speak up when they notice a problem? What can they do to make sure those who raise issues will be lauded, not criticised? And is it really worth employees’ while to take the risk of dissenting? Isabel Berwick speaks to FT contributing editor and executive coach Michael Skapinker, as well as Margaret Heffernan, a former chief executive of various companies and author of books including Wilful Blindness, about why people are reluctant to raise concerns, even when they know they should.

Want more? Free links:

The perils of speaking up at work too often deter staff from voicing concerns

US aviation regulator launches formal probe into Boeing’s mid-air blowout

The whistleblowing lessons from the CBI scandal

Japan needs stronger whistleblower protections

FT subscriber? Sign up to get Isabel’s free Working It newsletter in your inbox every Wednesday: ft.com/newsletters

Presented by Isabel Berwick, produced by Mischa Frankl-Duval, mixed by Simon Panayi. The executive producer is Manuela Saragosa. Cheryl Brumley is the FT’s head of audio.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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Working It

What can I do when my employees are afraid to speak up?

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Recognizing the Significance of a Speak-Up Culture in Companies

Understanding Willful Blindness and Employee Reluctance to Speak Up

The Value of Listening and Encouraging a Culture of Constructive Feedback

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts