Situation · Work
“My team won't speak up in meetings”
What could be going on
Psychological safety: Fits if speaking up has cost someone before; check what happened to the last person who disagreed.
Whole team sees the problem, nobody says it: Everyone seeing the problem but nobody naming it fits; ask privately what they really think.
Changes their view to match the boss: Fits if they wait for your view first and then echo it.
Pluralistic ignorance: Each may privately disagree but assume the others agree; anonymous input would show it.
Defensive routines (Argyris): Fits if meetings have unspoken rules that keep anyone from being embarrassed.
Introversion and extraversion (Jung's original sense): Some people think before they speak; check whether they contribute more in writing or one to one.
Questions to carry
- The last time someone did speak up, how did the room respond, and how did I respond?
- When the silence falls, what do I do in the next few seconds?
Also said as
- nobody on my team ever says anything
- why don't my staff give their opinion
- I ask for feedback and get silence
- everyone just sits there quietly when I ask a question
- staff are silent in meetings
- no one contributes ideas at team meetings