This happens too often:
A group of us will be gathered around talking about something that went wrong when someone says…
- “I knew that would…”
- “I thought that might…”
- “I was scared that…”
- “I didn’t think it was right when…”
You get my point here. So many times, the bad thing that happened could have been predicted. But, for whatever reason, the concern wasn’t surfaced.
It doesn’t get considered. It doesn’t get addressed. We fix it later, when we might have prevented it.
It takes courage to be the one to say, “this might not work.”
It is brave to tell the boss that a strategy we are about to embark on may have some holes in it.
It feels safer to sit quietly, but it isn’t safer. As team members, we must feel empowered to share thoughts, voice concerns, and express ideas. We do this by respecting and honoring every effort in that direction. As teammates and leaders, we make a mistake when we do anything that makes someone regret pointing out a concern.
The French General Napoleon Bonaparte once said, “Ten people who speak make more noise than ten thousand who are silent.”
Have courage. Speak bravely.
