![]() The first step for leaders seeking more contribution and voices is to first examine their own behaviours and see what needs to shift. What power distance is present in your organisation? ![]() If we are seeking greater involvement, collaboration and innovation in our teams, we need to lower the power gap between ‘them and us’ and move to a ‘we’. While Hofstede applies this term to research between nation cultures, and the interplay between them, this terminology can give us a good guide as to where we might sit. Participatory, consultative and democratic power relationships characterise low power distance. Autocratic and paternalistic power relations characterise high power distance. His work focuses on the study of cultures across nations. Power distance is a term from the research of Geert Hofstede, a Dutch social psychologist. The less people feel a part of that, the more distance between us. The more we can encourage voice and contribution, the more connected we are. Authentic voice creates a culture where people felt heard, seen and valued for the skills, expertise and knowledge they bring with them. Voice also gives people a strong sense of autonomy and wellbeing. Discussions become partnership-focussed rather than leader-led. To do this, let’s step into a space of co-creation not compliance. Better ideas occur, more perspectives get heard.Ĭollaboration is the key to increased ideation, products to market, team learning and transformation. Instead we drop the mindset of ‘only leadership knows what to do’, or the habit of ‘ I know better than you so you have no say’. We move from a permission, compliance and control environment. We embrace contribution and co-creation with others when we encourage people’s input. Projects, initiatives, working as a team – voice is vital in all of these. Do you allow, invite, enable and enact voice? I’m challenged by the number of middle leaders and team members who share that their senior leaders don’t ‘allow’ voice. Do we really need to check whether we ‘allow’ voice in our teams? But I’m calling it.
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