Beyond the Ballot Box: Why Our Voices Matter at Work

Author

Charlene Li
November 05, 2024

"Let's approach this moment in a way that in the face of a stranger, we see a neighbor."

These words from Vice President Kamala Harris resonate deeply with me, particularly now. To truly see our neighbors, we need to acknowledge and value their voices. Because voice—whether in our democracy or our organizations—isn't simply about being heard (though that's certainly a crucial part of it). It's about being seen. Being respected.

I learned this lesson early. Years ago, you could find me stationed at a rickety table in the busiest corner of my business school campus, armed with voter registration forms and a fierce determination to get every student registered. My progressive friends would laugh—some worried I might be registering voters for "the wrong party" in Massachusetts. "At least here," they'd say, "these votes won't matter much."

But that's exactly the kind of thinking that makes my heart hurt. Because every voice matters. When people feel their voice doesn't count—whether in government or in business—something precious dies. That spark of ownership, that sense of "I'm part of this," fades away.

The privilege of voting is about more than marking a ballot. It's a declaration: "I own a piece of this. I care deeply about how we shape our future." This ownership ripples out from national elections to local school boards to the countless propositions that shape our communities. Each vote says, "I'm here. I matter. I'm invested in our shared future."

As I reflect on this fundamental right to be heard, I can't help but think about how this translates to our organizations. Just as citizens need to know their vote matters, people in our workplaces need to know their voice counts. When team members feel disenfranchised, problems inevitably surface. Everyone needs to have a stake in our shared success. Everyone needs to feel heard and seen. 

Perhaps the clearest example of this kind of organizational engagement comes from the TV show The Bear. If you’ve watched it, you know there’s a practice where restaurant workers say “behind" when they’re moving behind someone, or “corner” when they’re going around a corner. It’s a simple acknowledgment of presence. But what really struck me was their response system. When receiving feedback or instructions, they respond with one word: "Heard." 

Not "I agree" or "I disagree." Just "Heard." 

It's a powerful affirmation of voice and presence. 

As leaders, we have a responsibility to create spaces where every voice can thrive. Consider the following, then, as you work towards creating this kind of organization—and maybe even this kind of world. 

1️⃣ Measure who is speaking. 

In your executive meetings, who is doing most of the talking? There are tools now that can analyze speaking time in meetings. If you're dominating the conversation, what perspectives—what wisdom—might you be missing? Creating space for every voice starts with understanding who currently holds the floor.

2️⃣ Make "heard" your leadership mantra.

When someone on your team speaks up—whether with a concern, an idea, or a challenge—respond first with "heard." Not "we'll see" or "yes, but" or even "great idea." Just "heard." It's remarkable how this simple practice can transform your team's willingness to speak up.

3️⃣ Turn listeners into stakeholders. 

Ask your team regularly: "Do you feel your opinions are heard and taken seriously?" Then, dig deeper: "What decisions do you feel ownership over?" This isn’t about implementing every suggestion—it's about ensuring everyone feels genuinely invested in your organization's success. You know you’ve achieved this when someone can disagree and then commit to the choice whole-heartedly, even if the decision didn’t go their way. 

4️⃣ Build systems for voice. 

Put structures in place that actively invite different voices into crucial conversations. Create feedback loops that work for different communication styles. Your job as a leader is to build multiple pathways for voice—and then prove, through action, that speaking up matters.

Ultimately, when team members know their voice matters, they bring their full selves to work. They innovate. They challenge. They help create the future.

How are you encouraging your teams to use their voice? Let me know, and then go use yours today—and vote. 

-Charlene

What I Can’t Stop Talking About: 

  • AI as a personal growth partner: From analyzing conversations to uncovering biases, I'm using AI to become a better version of myself. Here are three powerful ways AI can enhance your personal development journey. 

  • Focus in a distracted world: I’m on a mission to reduce distraction in my life. You, too? Here are three ways to create space for what matters most, ranging from a (much-needed!) social media diet to a tried-and-true decluttering method. 

  • AI Prompt Engineering 101: Want better AI outputs? Learn the simple 3-part framework I use for every AI prompt. TL;DR: Define the role, set the context, and clarify instructions. Save this—and go get better results! 

My Latest: 

  • Catch up on my webinars! You can still review the slides and recordings of my two new webinars. In “Unlocking The Power of Generative AI,” I explain how to set up a generative AI “playground,” three ways to elevate your leadership with step-by-step instructions, and the broad outlines of creating a strategy. In “Developing a Winning Generative AI Strategy for Competitive Advantage,” I walk through the steps needed to create a cohesive AI strategy. 

  • What a difference a [custom GPT] makes. Custom GPTs are transforming AI from a generic tool into a personal powerhouse that supercharges your productivity and creativity. In Leading Disruption, I dive deep into the game-changing world of custom GPTs and offer actionable tips on how to revolutionize your interaction with AI . 

  • One strategy, one songbook. Once you’ve got clarity on your high-level initiatives and know how to build up your capabilities, it's time for the rubber to meet the road—and that only happens when you can point to a central (and rolling!) 18-month strategy. Join me today, November 5 at 9am PT/12pm ET, where I’ll be talking about why developing a central strategy is so crucial—and how best to create one. 

My Upcoming Appearances:

If you want me to speak at an upcoming event or conduct a workshop with your executive team, please drop me a note at [email protected]. 

If this information was helpful, there’s plenty more!

📌 Sign up for updates and early access to my upcoming book, co-authored by Katia Walsh, which is all about creating a winning generative AI strategy.

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Charlene Li

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