Effective leadership requires a culture that encourages open dialogue between employees and management. Research shows that many CEOs prioritize developing future leaders, yet employees often find sharing their input intimidating. Experts suggest that "managing up" can foster a team environment where two-way conversations thrive. For instance, Slack’s report highlights that a significant number of French workers cite hierarchical structures as a key challenge, emphasizing the need for organizations to create spaces where all voices are valued. - Developing the next generation of leaders ranks as a top concern for CEOs globally. - Slack's report indicates that 10% of French respondents struggle with workplace hierarchy. - Employees need assurance that their contributions are recognized and appreciated. - Speaking up in hierarchical environments can feel uncomfortable or intimidating. - Experts emphasize the importance of creating a culture that supports two-way conversations.
This article is crucial for Engineering Leaders as it addresses the challenge of fostering a culture of open communication and collaboration within teams, which is essential for developing future leaders. An actionable takeaway is to implement strategies that encourage employees to voice their opinions and suggestions, thereby enhancing decision-making processes and team cohesion.
According to a recent survey by research group The Conference Board, “Developing the next generation of leaders is the third internal concern for CEOs globally.” Meanwhile, Slack’s recent Good Collaboration, Bad Collaboration report found that, “Ten percent of French respondents rated ‘hierarchy’ as a top personal challenge at work.”
There is a clear tension between these two realities. This disconnect shines a light on the fact that we often rely too much on people in leadership positions to make crucial decisions, which can exclude and possibly alienate most people in our organizations.
Employees need to feel that their input is heard and valued, but anyone in a report position knows that speaking up can feel uncomfortable. Sometimes, it’s downright intimidating. So we looked up a few experts to see what they had to say about the art and science of “managing up” and ways that managers can create a team culture that encourages two-way conversation.