Page 13 - index

ENCOURAGING

EMPLOYEE VOICE,

EMBRACING DIVERSE

PERSPECTIVES

KATE SIKERBOL,

M.A., M.ED.

Recent conversations with colleagues working in higher To be successful in making sense of ambiguous circumstances
education have described an environment that is shifing rapidly where the outcomes are unpredictable and uncertain, we need
and radically. Turbulent times present a unique challenge to encourage employee voice. Employee voice is defned as
for those who work “in the middle” of the organization: the expression of ideas, information, opinions, or concerns.
deans, associate deans, department chairs, directors, and Silence is defned as withholding these same things (Brinsfeld,
program coordinators. Leading from the middle, we must Edwards, & Greenberg, 2009). Dissent is defned as holding or
juggle competing expectations from senior managers with the expressing disagreement or contradictory opinions at variance
demands of frontline staf, faculty, and students. We are asked with organizational policies and practices (Kassing, 1997).
to contribute to developing organizational strategy and then Encouraging employee voice can contribute to the innovation
implement it at an operational level. Leading from the middle and learning that will help us reframe and surmount the
means achieving a precarious balance between change and complex challenges faced by our institutions during times of
continuity (Huy, 2001). change and uncertainty.

LEADERSHIP Vol. 20.3 Winter 2015 13

Client: The Chair Academy Job: CHAIRAcademy_Journal_20.3 winter 2015 Final size: 8.5” x 11” Colors: CMYK Bleeds: Yes
Created by: Goldfsh Creative - Laura Dvir • 602.349.2220 • goldfshcreates@q.com