economy

6 in 10 employees are hesitant to speak up at work, says survey: 'People are afraid to say the truth'

A survey by Radical Candor found that a lack of trust and psychological safety are primary concerns for employees.

6 in 10 employees are hesitant to speak up at work, says survey: 'People are afraid to say the truth'

TL;DR

  • A survey by Radical Candor found that 6 in 10 workers are reluctant to speak up about workplace concerns.
  • This reluctance stems from a 'trust gap' between leaders and employees, with workers fearing repercussions, especially during layoffs.
  • Many managers lack training in giving and receiving feedback, often leading to defensive reactions or vague critiques.
  • Employees prioritize 'human skills' like coaching and caring over technical expertise in the AI era, yet companies are underinvesting in people development.
  • AI adoption adds complexity, as employees fear job displacement and are less likely to highlight issues or innovate.
  • Leaders can foster trust by actively soliciting feedback and demonstrating that it's safe to express honest opinions.