The belief that you can speak up without shame or fear is vital for teamwork. When employees share their ideas, ask questions, or admit mistakes, they can work more effectively as a team. This also helps them create new ideas faster.
To create this environment, leadership through empathy. Empathetic leaders get feelings. They value different views and respond with care, not judgment. This makes people feel valued beyond their job titles.
An empathetic leader might say, "I know things are busy—let's talk about how to prioritise or delegate." This approach acknowledges an employee's concerns about a heavy workload instead of ignoring them. These small actions help create a safe environment and build trust in the team over time.