When to Speak Up at Work: A Guide to Voicing Your Perspectives

I took a class once that used a talking stick to facilitate conversation. If you’re not familiar, this is a tool used to make sure everyone’s voice is heard because you can only chime in when you’re holding it.

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Oh, if only the workplace had such a clear-cut process. Sometimes it’s tough to know when to speak up, and when to let the other person go first. Maybe you’re negotiating a raise, dealing with an angry client, or on a conference call with senior executives. When do you cede the floor—and when do you take the lead?

Speaking up at work can be challenging. But sharing ideas, questioning decisions, and addressing concerns is how teams reach optimal solutions. Although it may feel uncomfortable, knowing when and how to speak up is an important skill for career growth. Here are tips on evaluating situations, managing social threat, and finding your voice to speak up effectively in the workplace.

Why Speaking Up Matters

Voicing perspectives at work matters for several reasons

It surfaces good ideas that may be overlooked otherwise You likely have valuable insights to share
It prevents mistakes by challenging faulty logic and assumptions.
It addresses problems early before they escalate further.
It builds trust by showing you are engaged and want to collaborate.
It drives culture by modeling open communication and accountability.

Staying silent may feel easier in the moment but often leads to regret, frustration, and stunted team progress. Finding respectful ways to speak up is key.

Barriers to Speaking Up

Though speaking up is important, many barriers hold people back:

Fear of embarrassment if your idea is rejected or criticized
Feeling unqualified like you lack the experience to contribute
Uncertainty about whether an issue warrants voicing
Concerns about disrupting group harmony
Power dynamics where hierarchy prevents open sharing
Introversion and preferring quiet reflection

Evaluating Situations

Since blindly speaking up anytime is not optimal, start by evaluating each situation:

Assess urgency. Is this a fire that must be put out now versus something that can wait?
Consider your goal. Do you want to share an idea, question a decision, or address behavior?
Gauge potential impact. Will this substantially improve or harm things if not voiced?
Check your motives. Are you speaking up to be constructive or to complain/undermine?

This analysis helps determine whether speaking up is needed and the best timing and approach.

Ways to Speak Up

If you’ve determined speaking up has value, here are effective techniques:

Ask open-ended questions to prompt reassessment like “What key factors did you consider regarding this decision?”
Present it as an experiment to lower resistance like “What if we tried X for a week as a low-risk test?”
Suggest it benefits others so it feels less self-serving like “I think this change would help our customers have a better experience.”
Propose compromises that show flexibility like “I agree with parts A and B of your plan but have concerns about part C. Could we discuss possible adjustments to that portion?”
Offer anonymous input if the issue is sensitive or you may face retaliation.
Partner with others who share your view so you present a united front.

Managing Social Threat

Speaking up involves social threat, raising our self-consciousness. Using strategies from neuroscience can help calm these feelings:

Name the emotion. Recognizing you feel threatened lessens its power over you.
Align with purpose. Focus on the positive impact of speaking up rather than self-doubt.
Use an if-then plan. “If the team agrees to that timeline, then I will question its feasibility.”
Offer appreciation. Thanking someone for their idea before voicing concerns eases threat.
Remember common ground. Your shared goals unite you, despite differing opinions.

Developing Your Voice

With practice, speaking up at the right times becomes much easier. Some steps to find your voice:

Start small. Build confidence by speaking up in low-stakes settings first.
Reflect afterward. What went well? How might you improve next time?
Observe positive role models. What communication skills do they demonstrate?
Practice assertive body language. Maintain eye contact and open posture.
Keep a log. Note instances where you wish you had spoken up to motivate yourself next time.

Speaking Up About Specific Issues

Certain situations require a tailored approach when speaking up:

Discrimination and Harassment

Document details like dates, times, witnesses and specific behaviors.
Review company policies and procedures for reporting. Consult HR if needed.
Consider strength in numbers. Ask coworkers who faced similar issues to speak up together.

Unethical or Illegal Activity

Don’t assume others will speak up. You may be the first to recognize a serious issue.
Consult the employee handbook for protocols around whistleblowing.
If needed, contact an external agency like a labor board to report violations.

Problems with Leadership

Focus on impact rather than making personal attacks. “I’ve noticed low morale recently and want to problem solve together.”
Propose alternatives to show you’re invested in solutions. “If budget allows, what do you think of increasing team events?”
Voice concerns privately at first to give them opportunity to self-correct.

Key Takeaways

Here are some top tips to shape when and how you speak up:

First, thoughtfully evaluate if the issue warrants voicing your perspective.
Tailor your approach based on the setting, your goals, and type of issue.
Manage social threat by acknowledging emotions and focusing on shared purpose.
Start small by speaking up in low-stakes situations to build confidence.
When raising serious concerns, consult company policies and resources.
Frame issues constructively showing your commitment to solutions.

Though speaking up can be uncomfortable, it is a skill that allows good ideas to surface and bad outcomes to be prevented. With practice, you can voice perspectives effectively and navigate challenging conversations with empathy and skill. The more people find their voice, the more organizations can tap into their collective intelligence and create psychologically safe cultures. By developing discernment for when to speak up and the courage to do so, you can propel your own career growth while also making a difference on teams and in workplaces.

Frequency of Entities:

speak up: 23
speaking up: 20
work: 15
voice: 5
ideas: 4
social threat: 3
decisions: 2
concerns: 2

when to speak up at work

You Speak First When Attending a Meeting

Just because you attends lots of meetings doesn’t mean you’re always comfortable chiming in. But research shows that the earlier you speak up in this setting, the more successful a participant you’ll be. Of course you want to be prepared, informed, and on point.

Waiting until the end —after everyone else has contributed—means you’ll end up comparing your comments to those that have already been made and stressing about adding anything of importance.

Let the Other Person Speak First When Discussing Salary in an Interview

When you’re in the running for a new job, the standard advice holds true: Never disclose your salary requirements first. This puts you at a potential disadvantage for a couple of reasons. You could price yourself out of a great job by over-reaching. Or, if you undershoot the number, the hiring manager may make you a super lowball offer.

Every hiring manager has a range that’s assigned to jobs that are open. Instead of candidly stating your requirements, ask him or her to share what the range for this particular job is and where he expects the compensation for this position to land.

Knowing When To Speak Up At Work | Jacob Morgan

What does it mean to speak up at work?

When you speak up at work, you’re expressing your opinion about something, such as your thoughts about a project, your feelings on a decision, or an idea of your own. There are some important things to think about when doing it. How and when you speak up can have a considerable impact on the success of your team and organization.

Why is speaking up at work important?

Whether it’s sharing an idea or challenging someone else’s behavior, speaking up at work is fraught with feelings of threat. Every organization needs people to find their voice. Whether it’s to elevate good ideas, call out problematic decision-making, or flag questionable behavior, speaking up is how teams arrive at the smartest, safest outcomes.

Should you speak up at work?

Letting your thoughts be heard at work can be a challenge if you’re not used to speaking in public. If you’re at a new workplace, you may not feel comfortable yet and that’s ok. However, speaking up at work can bring new ideas to brainstorming sessions and help others see things from your perspective.

Do you have a problem speaking up at work?

Maybe you think that you don’t have a problem speaking up at work. However, it’s common to confuse venting or complaining with productively voicing your opinions. Speaking up only counts if you do it in front of the right audience who can actually implement your feedback or remedy the issue.