Speaking Up & Assertiveness Benefits
For high performance, engagement, and psychological safety.
Developing respectful speaking up and assertive communication skills for employees and leaders bring a series of benefits to the organization.
Employee Retention
Retention
Employees feel respected, heard, and advocate for themselves.
The pace of employee turnover is forecast to be 50–75% higher than companies have experienced previously according to Gartner. Plus, turnover can cost up to 200% of an employee’s annual salary, depending on the role, amounting to nearly $700 in 2020 according to HBR article. Not only is it important to reduce turnover, but to retain those who stay.
By fostering a supportive and inclusive work environment where individuals feel heard and empowered to advocate for their needs, organizations can reduce turnover and ensure that they retain their top talent.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to employee retention:
- Enhance job satisfaction and appreciation
- Encourage open dialogue and proactive problem-solving
- Foster respectful and inclusive work environment
- Promote conversations around work-life balance and reducing burnout
- Build strong relationships and a sense of belonging
Employee Engagement
Engagement
Employees express themselves authentically and cultivate positive relationships.
51% of the U.S. workforce is not engaged (Gallup, 2017). According to Gallup, the key drivers for employee engagement are development, ongoing conversations, a caring manager, focus on strengths, and purpose.
By empowering individuals to speak up and proactively address their needs, assertive communication fosters a more inclusive, supportive, and fulfilling work environment. This, in turn, leads to higher levels of job satisfaction, productivity, and overall success.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to increase employee engagement:
- Encourage open dialogue and ongoing conversations
- Facilitate personal and professional growth
- Align individual strengths and purpose with work tasks
- Foster recognition, appreciation, and support
- Build strong relationships and promote teamwork
- Enhance employee participation and influence within the organization
Innovation
Innovation
Challenges status quo and reveals mistakes early on.
Companies that have employees who feel more comfortable asking for help, sharing suggestions, or challenging the status quo innovate more according to Mckinsey.
Upskilling leaders with assertive communication skills can foster a culture of innovation within their teams. Assertive communication encourages open dialogue, respectful challenges to the status quo, and active collaboration, all of which are essential for driving innovation and organizational growth.
The following are some key ways in which upskilling leaders with assertive communication skills can support innovation:
- Encourage diverse perspectives and open dialogue
- Facilitate constructive debates and critical thinking
- Enable effective collaboration and problem-solving
- Empower employees to challenge the status quo
- Support risk-taking and exploration of new ideas
Productivity
Productivity
Reduces conflict, anticipates problems, and breaks silos.
Employees in United States companies spend approximately 2.8 hours each week involved in conflict. This amounts to around $359 billion in hours paid that are filled with – and focused on – conflict instead of on positive productivity (CPP study).
Upskilling leaders with assertive communication skills can significantly boost team productivity by fostering an environment where open dialogue, constructive feedback, and effective conflict resolution are the norm. Assertive communication encourages employees to express their thoughts and opinions in a respectful and non-threatening manner, resulting in better decision-making, increased innovation, and a more engaged workforce.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to make teams more productive:
- Foster collaboration and open dialogue
- Reduce time and resources spent on conflicts
- Encourage a growth mindset and continuous improvement
- Promote accountability and responsibility
- Empower employees to speak up and advocate for their needs
- Support informed and ethical decision-making
Superior Leadership
Leadership
Helps leaders give better feedback, keep employees accountable, and be decisive.
Assertive communication is a vital skill that enables leaders to be more effective in their roles. By mastering the art of speaking up in a balanced and respectful manner, leaders can communicate more effectively, drive better outcomes and foster a more positive work environment.
Assertive communication allows leaders to navigate challenging situations and build stronger, more collaborative relationships with their team members instead of avoiding or delaying necessary hard conversations..
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to psychological safety:
- Deliver constructive feedback in a supportive manner
- Prevent and resolve conflicts proactively
- Set and communicate clear expectations
- Foster a culture of accountability and responsibility
- Advocate for their team members, customers, and for the company effectively
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Equity & Inclusion
Amplifies diverse voices in the room.
By empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns in a respectful and non-threatening manner, assertive communication fosters a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to enhancing diversity, equity, and inclusion:
- Promote diverse representation and internal promotions
- Support career advancement for minorities in leadership roles
- Foster a sense of empowerment and control
- Support equitable access to resources and opportunities
- Reduce biased judgment and assumptions
- Enhance feelings of belonging and authenticity
Psychological Safety
Psychological Safety
Normalizes respectful open communication.
One proven way to foster psychological safety withing teams and the organization is by upskilling employees and leaders with assertive communication skills. By doing so, businesses can create a more inclusive and supportive work environment, leading to higher employee satisfaction and better overall performance.
Assertive communication is a balanced approach that enables individuals to express their ideas, feelings, and needs in an open, honest, and respectful manner. It encourages active listening, empathy, and mutual understanding among team members and normalizes speaking up, paving the way for a psychologically safe workplace.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to psychological safety:
- Promote open dialogue and trust
- Reduce conflict and enhances problem-solving
- Foster collaboration
- Empower employees to speak up regularly and productively
- Teach leaders to communicate with empathy and respect
Organizational Adaptability & Resilience
Adaptability
Enables agile problem-solving and agile decision-making.
Organizations today are constantly evolving and adapting to the rapidly changing business environment. In this dynamic landscape, organizations need to remain adaptable and resilient.
One way to cultivate these qualities is by upskilling employees and leaders with assertive communication skills. By fostering effective communication, businesses can respond to challenges more efficiently, pivot quickly when needed, and build a more resilient workforce.
Here are some ways in which assertive communication contributes to adaptability and resilience:
- Allow mistakes to be communicated sooner
- Encourage productive challenging of status quo and disagreement
- Enhance problem-solving and decision-making
- Foster a continuous learning culture
- Increase accountability
- Support effective change management
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Photo credits: Raven Hanning and Maddie Schwenneker