Thousands of years ago, women in Ancient Egypt could own property, enter contracts and appear in court in their own name.
The rights existed. The permission existed. But permission and possibility are not the same thing.
In this episode of This Was Never About Today, Cathy explores a pattern that has appeared throughout history and still appears in workplaces today:
People don't simply respond to what is allowed. They respond to what feels possible.
If your organisation has an open-door policy, encourages feedback and says people should speak up, but people still stay silent, this episode may help you understand why.
You'll discover:
• Why permission doesn't automatically create confidence
• How people decide whether speaking up is worth the risk
• What behaviour often reveals that policies don't
• Why opportunities to act are frequently missed long before the cost arrives
• What deserves your attention if you genuinely want people to speak up
Because the challenge is rarely noticing something. The challenge is understanding its significance.
Enjoyed the episode?
Most people problems weren't caused today.
They've usually been building quietly through decisions, assumptions, overlooked signals, and behaviours that seemed easier to ignore than address.
If this episode gave you something to think about, here are a few ways to continue the conversation:
Visit thepeoplenavigator.com
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I'm Cathy Doherty, The People Navigator®, based in Northern Ireland.
I help leaders avoid hiring and holding on to horrible people so they can build workplaces people genuinely want to be part of.
Connect with me on LinkedIn and YouTube.
This podcast is for educational purposes only and does not constitute legal, HR, or professional advice. Always seek advice appropriate to your circumstances and jurisdiction.
