Speaking Up Safely

9 out of 10 people have felt emotionally or physically unsafe to speak their mind more than once in the past 18 months, according to a recent survey.

A new study of 1,300 people by Crucial Learning, a learning company with courses in communication, performance, and leadership, found that 9 out of 10 people have felt emotionally or physically unsafe to speak their mind more than once in the past 18 months. Having identified subjects who faced similar communication challenges, but generated more confidence and less fear, the study asked them to cite skills that help people speak up with poise and integrity. Top skills included:

  • Make it safe by reassuring respect and pointing out shared values.
  • Get curious.
  • Start with facts, not judgments or opinions.
  • Don’t focus on convincing.
  • Be skeptical of your point of view.
  • Own your right to have your opinion.
Edited by Lorri Freifeld
Lorri Freifeld is the editor/publisher of Training magazine, owned by Lakewood Media Group. She writes on a number of topics, including talent management, training technology, and leadership development. She spearheads two awards programs: the Training APEX Awards and Emerging Training Leaders. A writer/editor for the last 30 years, she has held editing positions at a variety of publications and holds a Master’s degree in journalism from New York University.