Just a little more about yesterday’s post about voice and trust. I did a training for a small group of Fellows at a Federal agency last week. They made reference to the fact that at a large and important meeting recently, they were not permitted to introduce themselves. Instead, the person in charge of the Fellows program introduced each of them to the large group. From the perspective of the powers that be, this was an easier solution. I’m sure it was a tightly scheduled meeting, and what if one of the fellows took too long? Or said something inappropriate? I assume they felt it was easier to do the introductions centrally. Safer. More control.

But the Fellows felt it. They felt the loss of their voice and the lack of trust. And that impacted their participation in the program. When they go back home, how will they describe the program?

It wouldn’t have been a huge risk to give them some voice at that meeting. But it was a risk. It was giving up control. Even when control seems easier and logical, think about the implications.