Speak up for success: uniting Kyocera's vision and philosophy
To do a job right, courage is essential. This is what our founder Kazuo Inamori said in his Kyocera Philosophy. He said “We sometimes sugarcoat what we say, or refrain from doing the right thing, mostly because we do not want to be disliked by other people. To complete a task without making mistakes, we must make the right decisions at every critical moment. In making decisions, you need courage - and it is acquired by conquering your own fears repeatedly.”
At Kyocera, we are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels empowered to speak up, share ideas, and voice concerns. A culture that values open communication is not only a cornerstone of our success, but also a vital component in driving innovation and maintaining our competitive edge. A recent article in Havard Business Review says that urging people to give candid feedback and speak up with their thoughts is simply not enough and that we need to actively remove obstacles and pave the way for people to take the inherent risks involved in voicing their opinions and concerns.
Why is this important? Because research underscores the myriad benefits of a speak-up culture. Studies reveal that organisations where employees feel comfortable in sharing their thoughts are more likely to innovate, identify problems early, and ultimately perform better. When team members voice their concerns and suggestions, it leads to better decision-making, increased employee engagement, and higher overall satisfaction.
Conversely, a lack of open communication and speaking up can have detrimental effects. Teams that don't speak up often miss out on critical insights, leading to avoidable mistakes and missed opportunities. According to Intellect, suppressed voices can result in increased employee turnover, decreased morale, and lower productivity. When employees feel that their opinions don't matter, it erodes trust and stifles the collaborative spirit we strive to cultivate.
To truly benefit from a speak-up culture, we must actively create an environment where everyone feels safe and encouraged to contribute. This involves ensuring that feedback is taken seriously, and figuring out where, when, and how to speak up to make it easy to do so and also to protect those who may fear retaliation.
As we continue to navigate the evolving business landscape, you are encouraged to embrace the power of your voice. Whether you have a groundbreaking idea, a concern that needs addressing, or a suggestion for improvement, your input is invaluable. Together, we can turn challenges into opportunities and ideas into innovations.
Henry Ford wisely said, ‘coming together is a beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.’ By fostering a culture of speaking up, we not only strengthen our team, but also enhance our ability to serve our customers better and achieve our collective goals.
Michelle Frenzel - HR Manager - KYOCERA Document Solutions South Africa
