How do I get my quiet achievers to talk up?

Dear Aunty B,

I keep reading on SmartCompany (love you Lou) that my best ideas will come from my staff.

Problem is I have a few very loud staff and the rest don’t say much.

I also have 50 staff and the company is getting too big for me to go around and talk to everyone individually.

Any ideas?

FA,
Tas

Dear FA,

Here are some ideas.

Always meet new recruits and tell them personally that you value their opinion and they should always speak up.

Decentralize. Make sure you have two or at the most three layers of management.

Create small teams with their own budgets and performance criteria.

Have strategy sessions where staff are invited to attend and their involvement is sought.

Have competitions for “best suggestions”.

Praise loudly any good suggestions from the quiet achievers.

Make sure you give credit where it is due.

Good luck,

Your Aunty B.

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