Unleashing the voice within: managerial insights for empowering open upward communication

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to provide prescriptions through a practitioner lens to managers and leaders wishing to cultivate an organizational environment characterized by employees’ voluntary open upward communication. Design/methodology/approach This paper presents a two-step progression to fostering successful voluntary upward communication, framing manager’s feedback inquiry as a precursor to enabling employee voice. Rationale is provided for each step based on an extensive review of the management literature. At times, the reviewed research reveals counterintuitive findings that serve to underscore the importance of this article. Findings Hallmarks of effective organizations include managers who are open to feedback and employees who are comfortable providing it. Specific, actionable and feasible advice is provided for managers to seek feedback more actively and to inculcate a culture of open upward communication. Originality/value This paper offers guidance that goes beyond the traditional practices adopted by organizations to encourage upward communication, feedback and employee voice. Yet, this guidance is no more difficult to enact than these more common approaches and it is supported by a growing body of research that has yet to be fully translated into lay terms.