Most organizations struggle with open communication despite claiming it as a core value. In this episode, Terri and Jeremy explore how genuine open communication transforms workplace dynamics and drives measurable business results, moving beyond corporate buzzwords to examine the specific behaviors that create truly transparent organizations.
You'll discover why traditional approaches to open communication often fail in large companies and learn about the critical communication behaviors that separate high-performing organizations from the rest. The hosts share compelling examples of how open communication practices like "obligation to dissent" and inclusive decision-making directly impact business outcomes. From companies that ghost interview candidates to retailers missing obvious operational improvements, these stories reveal how communication breakdowns cost organizations millions.
The discussion covers practical frameworks for implementing "see something, say something" and "hear something, do something" principles that turn employee insights into competitive advantages through open communication channels. You'll learn how one major retailer discovered massive waste simply by creating systems that encouraged store employees to speak up about inefficient poster distribution processes, and how a bank transformed customer service by establishing open communication pathways between departments.
Terri and Jeremy examine the challenge of maintaining consistent open communication practices across thousands of employees, sharing insights from their operational excellence work with Fortune 500 companies. They discuss the critical decision of when to remove top performers who resist open communication principles, using examples from "Ted Lasso" to illustrate how individual communication styles can either strengthen or undermine entire teams.
Key takeaways include specific strategies for encouraging obligation to dissent, creating inclusive communication processes, and building systems that reward transparent dialogue while addressing communication barriers. The hosts emphasize that open communication must be engineered into company processes through clear policies, empowerment structures, and accountability measures—rather than simply promoted through mission statements.
The episode also explores how leaders can model integrity in communication, from responding to all interview candidates to creating safe spaces for employees to share critical feedback. You'll learn practical approaches for empowering frontline workers to communicate directly with senior leadership and how to design feedback loops that ensure employee insights drive actual business improvements.
Based on decades of experience transforming organizational communication at major corporations, this episode provides actionable strategies for leaders ready to move beyond communication rhetoric to create environments where transparency and honest dialogue naturally thrive. #opencommunication #culture #communication #leadership
