As we celebrate Halloween–a season for all things spooky–it's a good time to reflect on the “fear factor” that can haunt our workplaces. While ghosts and goblins are fun once a year, fear shouldn't be part of our day-to-day culture. Yet, in many organizations, fear holds people back from speaking up about problems, sharing new ideas, or admitting mistakes.
Dr. W. Edwards Deming, a pioneer in quality and improvement, famously said:
“Drive out fear so that everyone may work effectively for the company.”
He knew that fear holds people back from speaking up, sharing ideas, and learning from mistakes–all things essential for a thriving organization.
Fear may seem invisible, but its impact is very real. When employees are afraid to speak up, issues stay hidden, opportunities for improvement go unnoticed, and mistakes are buried rather than used as learning moments.
Driving out fear doesn't mean eliminating accountability; rather, it means creating a foundation of psychological safety, where people feel empowered to bring their full selves to work without fear of blame or ridicule.
This Halloween, let's unmask and eliminate the fear factor for good. Let's build cultures where, as Dr. Deming advocated, fear gives way to trust, learning, and continuous improvement.
What steps do you take to “drive out fear” in your organization?
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