Encouraging Others to Amplify Their Voices

Cathie Leimbach • May 2, 2023

Too frequently, leaders make workplace decisions with inadequate information. A group decision may be based on only the leader’s preferences and experience. It may serve the leader’s personality style and ignore the emotional or functional impact of team members.  The organization fails to experience the benefits of group collaboration.  

Many employees have tried to speak up, only to have their input ignored, so they have stopped offering ideas. They do their work but keep their great ideas to themselves. What can you do to encourage team members to share their insights, experience, and preferences for higher quality decision-making and stronger organizational results?

Let’s consider 5 ways you can encourage others to speak up in workplace meetings.

  • Let your team members know you want to hear their ideas. Tell them in group meetings, by email, or during one-on-one conversations that you want their input on workplace matters.
  • During meetings, ask your team members to share their thoughts on an agenda item before you share your own. This usually brings out a variety of information rather than everyone simply agreeing with your thinking.
  • Call on team members individually. Share the meeting topics a day or two before each meeting and ask them to be ready to share their perspective on each topic. During the meeting call each person by name and ask them to share their thoughts.
  • Listen to what each person says. Acknowledge their contribution by paraphrasing it or asking an open-ended question to learn more.
  • Show you value their input. Thank them for sharing. Put their best ideas into practice and let them know why the others aren’t being implemented. 

As the leader, be intentional about amplifying other people’s voices. They will experience more job satisfaction and buy-in. Your decisions will be more informed. And, the organization will be more successful.   

Leadership Development: The Hidden Superpower for Your Business

By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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