5 Ways to Amplify Your Voice at Work

Cathie Leimbach • May 9, 2023

When is the last time you spoke up at work? Do you share your ideas for improving communication in your department, respond to your manager’s email asking what training you would be interested in this year, or drop a possible solution to a frustrating workplace situation in the staff suggestion box? 

Workplace dissatisfaction is common. Employee morale is falling. Employee turnover is high. Many people share workplace frustrations and potential solutions with their family and friends. Yet, they don’t use their voice at work. Instead, they put up with workplace drudgery or change jobs again in search of a rewarding experience. 

Often, leaders who ask employees for their input and offer opportunities for team problem solving get few responses. If you wish to be heard and valued at work, amplify your voice.  

Here are 5 ways you could speak up to improve the workplace experience for your colleagues, yourself, and the organization.

  1. Speak up during meetings: Whenever there is a meeting, make sure to contribute your ideas and opinions.
  2. Use communication tools: Utilize email, instant messaging, or project management software to share your ideas and feedback with your team. This can help you reach out to others even when you're not in the same physical location.
  3. Seek out one-on-one conversations: If you feel uncomfortable sharing your ideas or feedback in a group setting, try to have one-on-one conversations with your supervisor or other colleagues you feel comfortable with. This can help you build a rapport with your colleagues and foster more productive discussions.
  4. Provide written feedback: Sometimes, it can be difficult to express your thoughts and ideas verbally. Provide written feedback, such as in an email or memo, to share your perspective with your team.
  5. Participate in employee surveys: If your organization conducts employee surveys, take the time to fill out these surveys and provide detailed responses to help shape the company's direction and improve the workplace.

 

You have valuable ideas for improving the workplace experience and/or productivity in your organization.  Which of the above ways will you use to put these ideas forward for consideration? What will you do this week to amplify your voice?

The Leadership Problem Most Companies Don’t Address

By Cathie Leimbach • May 19, 2026
Many organizations assume their biggest challenges are rapidly changing technology, customer retention, and employee initiative. But quite often, the root cause is people leadership problems. That’s one reason The Imperfect CEO by Jim Brown is so timely. Releasing today, May 19, the book explores how leaders build healthier organizations not by pretending to have all the answers, but by creating cultures grounded in trust, clarity, accountability, and meaningful conversations. Brian Besanceney, Chair, Board of Orlando Health, Inc., described the book this way: “Through vivid stories, real-world examples, and a model grounded in collaborative culture, Jim Brown gives leaders permission to wrestle honestly with the generational divides, misaligned targets, and cultural fractures that can too often sabotage high-potential organizations.” Greg Apple, CEO of Amgine.ai, connected the book to leadership beyond business alone: “In a fast-moving company, culture is everything. Jim Brown’s principles have helped our team lead with greater clarity and alignment. The Imperfect CEO distills those lessons brilliantly. Every leader should read it.” What stands out to me is how closely this book aligns with the principles behind Conversational Management. Healthy cultures are rarely built through policies alone. They are built through the quality of everyday leadership conversations — how expectations are clarified, how accountability is handled, how feedback is delivered, and how trust is strengthened over time. That’s why leadership development cannot stay theoretical. Culture changes conversation by conversation.  The Imperfect CEO is an easy-to-read business fable that illustrates common people leadership challenges and provides suggestions for overcoming them. Order your copy today and start building healthier leadership conversations inside your organization.

Why Some Companies Attract More Job Applicants Than They Need

By Cathie Leimbach • May 12, 2026
Chick-fil-A restaurants often receive far more job applications than they have openings. This is not luck. It is leadership. People apply where they believe they will be treated well. At Chick-fil-A, employees experience respectful communication, clear expectations, and leaders who support their success. That reputation spreads quickly through word of mouth. Leaders in these restaurants do simple things well. They ask questions before they assume. They listen to employees. They provide encouragement and clear direction. They notice good work and address problems in a helpful way. As a result, employees feel valued. They enjoy coming to work. They tell others. That is what attracts more applicants. Many organizations focus only on hiring. Strong organizations focus on how people are treated after they are hired. When leaders create a workplace where people feel respected, supported, and clear on what success looks like, something powerful happens: People stay. People perform. And more people want to join. This is what leadership really is. Would you like to see several leadership and culture practices Chick-fil-A uses to attract and keep quality employees? Click here to view: How Chick-fil-A Attracts Quality Applicants