Why Good Leaders Speak Up

The Speak Up! Series

Have you ever been in a situation where a bad leader spoke up? He shared a vision isolated to himself. Or he chose to single out one employee and berate him.

Bad leaders tend to speak up when something is wrong. They focus on what isn’t working and choose to talk down to those they’re leading.

Black and silver corded microphone

This is damaging. The organization hurts from the lack of good leadership. The team members hurt because of the hurtful words spewed from the mouth of the bad leader.

Then there’s the void left with the lack of a good leader nearby. Or, worse yet, maybe the good leader sits by idly and fails to speak up.

What You’re Saying About Yourself When You Fail To Speak Up

The Speak Up! Series

I know how hard it can be to speak up. The fear, the nerves, the voices inside of your head. Everything is telling you that you’re going to screw this up.

While you may have that little voice inside of your head telling you that you could mess this up, there’s something this voice isn’t telling you. The voice inside your head isn’t telling you what you’re saying about yourself when you fail to speak up.

Man in blue jeans and a button up jacket covering his face

Photo by Rachel Lynette French

What You’re Saying About Yourself When You Fail To Speak Up

You may be surprised at what you’re saying when you don’t speak up. Your silence is speaking volumes to those you lead and who lead you. When you fail to speak up, you are saying:

  • I don’t have anything to contribute
  • My fear of being rejected is more than my excitement over this idea