Sssshhhhhhhhhh…

Imagine if, over the festive holidays, you were given a wish to change one thing about your team or workplace, what would you wish for?

Maybe you’d wish for a completely new, exciting and purposeful job. One where you’re actually paid what you’re worth!

Maybe a new boss, who is kind, empathetic and supportive, unlike the current one.

Maybe a vibrant and colorful work environment, rather than the dull, stuffy and cramped one you have now.

Maybe replace that annoying person on the team who never pulls their weight and always lets the team down, and even worse, gets away with it, with one who holds themselves accountable, helps others, shares ideas, and competently delivers what they said they would.

Consider this.

Anything you’re wishing for is about something you don’t already have but something you need, yet by wistfully calling it a ‘wish’ you’re settling for the fact it’s unlikely you’ll get it.

So, you’ll stay silent, you won’t rock the boat, or raise your head above the parapet, or risk being branded as a ‘dissenting renegade with a bad attitude’.

The downside of silence is that nothing changes. At least not for the better.

You’ll never find your allies, who want change as much as you do.

You’ll never share your creative ideas that others will grab the opportunity to help build upon.

You’ll never reach your full potential as an individual or a team.

You won’t grow, you won’t learn, you won’t thrive.

In a team, silence isn’t golden, it’s deadly.

Plants need light to grow, and people need to shine a light on the things that are stunting their growth. No matter how hard.

If we speak our truth with care, kindness and good intent, if we listen to learn, if we’re curious and withhold judgement, we can make those heartfelt wishes come true, and together build a creative, empowered team we’re proud to be a part of.

If you’re wishing for that, it’s what you need.

So let’s make this new year one where we actively and intentionally thrive together.