Words Matter: Understanding and Mitigating Implicit Messaging at Work

The following is a quote from the Job Doctor Tessa White, an excerpt from her book, "...The individuals who are penalized for honest conversations in the workplace are often people who fail to create mutual purpose and safety when they begin the conversation...."
While this statement may be well intended, it's a great example of one loaded with implicit messaging, and it's quite effective in its delivery. Messaging like this, which is common practice in corporate, continues to prove itself as the root cause of ongoing miscommunication and gap of understanding between employees and management.
Let's dissect the implicit messaging within it:
First of all, it shifts responsibility. The statement subtly shifts the blame to the employees should any punitive action be taken against them, suggesting that it's their failure in approach that leads to such consequences.
Secondly, it discourages open dialogue. Employees hearing this message might become more cautious or even avoid engaging in honest conversations, especially on sensitive or critical issues, for fear of not framing the conversation correctly through unwritten roles of engagement.
Third, it normalizes punishment for honesty. The statement normalizes the idea that being honest can have negative repercussions if not handled with extreme care! This reinforces a power dynamic where honesty is not inherently valued but conditionally accepted based on how it's received by management.
Last but not least, it's manipulating through fear. There's an underlying tone of fear that can manipulate employees into completely aligning with existing narratives or remain silent.
And what are the impacts on employees who receive this type of messaging? Anxiety and self-doubt, suppression of critical feedback, and perceived lack of fairness, just to name a few.
Maintaining a critical ear to various forms of statements and their particular undertones is critical in an effort to mitigate subconscious influence from implicit messaging. Otherwise, you may find yourself behaving in ways that work against you without even realizing it, adding to the challenges in an already complex and dynamic work environment.
#corporate #effectivecommunication #workplacecommunication #workplaceconflict #pivotalreinvention #selfagency
FULL DISCLOSURE: I produce content as part of my coaching business, aimed at professionals in corporate America. This content serves to raise awareness about my specialized coaching services and products designed to enhance professional development and leadership skills.