According to research from Joseph Grenny and David Maxfield, authors of the New York Times bestseller Crucial Conversations,
56% of us safeguard toxic secrets or grievances in the workplace for more than a year —
because we focus on the immediate risks involved in speaking up while ignoring the certain and ongoing costs of not speaking up.
In the study of 1,400 people, participants were asked to imagine they were given a “magical free pass” that would allow them to say anything they wanted to one person at work—with immunity from any consequences. People’s suppressed concerns ran the gamut from terrifying to disgusting to heartbreaking.
KEY RESULTS
56% of employees keep an awkward conversation “vaulted” up for more
than 1 year
42% keep them in the vault for 1-5 years
The most popular workplace grievances we keep locked up are:
50% Speaking up to those in power (e.g. “You’re the worst boss I ever had.”)
30% Criticizing a peer’s performance (e.g. “Your fake, sugar-sweet ‘kindness’ tinged with sarcasm has made me not believe a work you say.”)
2% Addressing the elephant in the room (e.g. “Your hygiene habits are repulsive and offensive.”)
In imagining what would happen if they WOULD follow through and hold that conversation:
66% believed their organization would be helped
57% believed everyone who interacts with this person would be helped
43% believed the person themselves would be helped
43% believed a huge emotional burden would be lifted
TIPS FOR OPENING THE VAULT
1. Assume people can change. People change all the time. Do the person the favor of letting them try to change.
2. Determine what you really want. Not just for yourself, but also for the other person and for your working relationship. This long-term, inclusive goal can make the conversation constructive, rather than destructive.
3. Approach as a Friend, not a Foe. Explain your positive motives up front. For example,“I’d like to discuss a concern. My goal is to support you and to help us achieve the metrics you’ve set for our team…”
4. Stick to the facts. Avoid broad conclusions such as, “you don’t care” or “you’re incompetent.” Instead, focus on specific incidents, events, and actions such as, “The last three staffing decisions were made without input from the managers in the affected areas.”
If you recognise the above as an issue in your organisation - we can help.
