Why Your Team Won’t Speak Up (And How to Fix It)

In this episode of HBR IdeaCast, host Alison Beard explores why employees often remain silent despite leaders' calls for candor, featuring expert Charles Duhigg, author of 'Super Communicators.' Duhigg explains that psychological safety—where people feel safe to speak up without fear of retribution—is the foundation of open communication, but it's often undermined by leaders who don't reward honesty or model active listening. He outlines practical tactics like ensuring equal conversational turn-taking, practicing ostentatious listening, and matching the emotional tone of a conversation to build trust. Duhigg emphasizes that true psychological safety isn't about being warm and fuzzy, but about consistent, intentional behaviors. He highlights companies like Amazon and Netflix, which institutionalize debate before commitment, allowing for robust challenge while maintaining decision velocity. The episode also addresses how leaders can respond to feedback—especially when it's trivial—by acknowledging input without necessarily acting on it, thus preserving trust. Finally, Duhigg offers actionable steps: ask more questions, clarify company values through conversation, and use vulnerability strategically to foster connection without sacrificing authority.