I recently chatted with a group of folks who’d just been laid off from various companies. When I asked them why they thought they were the ones let go instead of their colleagues, the answers were eye-opening. Here’s a taste:
“In my next job, I’m going to keep my mouth shut. If I was less of a squeaky wheel, maybe I’d still have a job.”
“I was labeled a troublemaker for bringing up things like needing more flexibility for parents. My takeaway? Fly under the radar and don’t stir the pot.”
“I finally stopped masking who I am—a Black man unafraid to speak truth to power. Turns out, that cost me my job.”
For many of us—women, queer folks, people of color, and anyone who doesn’t fit a certain mold—the act of speaking up at work feels like a high-stakes game where the odds are stacked against us. It’s not about fixing imposter syndrome or perfecting your executive presence; it’s a glaring sign that the workplace itself is broken.
When you feel disempowered at work, cortisol levels skyrocket, creativity plummets, and mental health suffers. Worst of all, we start to believe that our ideas aren’t worth sharing. It’s a vicious cycle that only serves to stifle innovation and morale.
It’s time to shake things up. There’s too much at stake—for individuals and for businesses.
If you’re a business leader, it’s time to empower the disempowered. It’s the right thing to do from a humane standpoint. It’s also the ONLY way to unlock original thinking and creativity.
Let’s take a sledgehammer to some of the leadership myths that keep people quiet and disempowered. By busting these myths wide open, you can create an environment where everyone can do their best, most creative work, attract top talent, and spark transformational ideas.
Here's to shaking off the silence and embracing a culture where every voice is heard.
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