Coaching Tool - "Earn the Right to Speak"

The Contribution of the "Earn the Right to Speak" Method 
to Corporate Conflict Resolution

Two months after joining Beautiful Soul, my manager introduced me to the ‘Earn the Right to Speak’ method to resolve a misunderstanding with a colleague on the same team. Initially, I felt a mixture of curiosity and apprehension. I took the time to really listen to my colleague without interruption, and then expressed my own point of view. This approach enabled me to open up with more sincerity and to feel greater empathy for my colleague. It gave me a new perspective on conflict management, giving me the confidence to approach future conflicts with greater calm and discernment. I realized that when it comes to conflict, there is no single culprit; it is more about differences in perception. The aim of this method is to put yourself in the other person's shoes and understand their point of view. This experience was a wake-up call and helped me to grasp the importance of identifying and taking responsibility for my part in any situation

The ‘Earn the Right to Speak’ method focuses on active listening, allowing each party to express themselves without being interrupted. This creates an environment of mutual respect where each person feels valued. By encouraging open and honest communication, the method reduces misunderstandings and frustrations. Employees learn to clarify their intentions and concerns, which reduces potential conflicts. Regular use of this method builds trust between team members. Employees feel more comfortable sharing their ideas and concerns, knowing that they will be listened to and respected. In addition, the method encourages a focus on identifying collaborative, sustainable solutions, where all stakeholders contribute to resolving the conflict.  

Choose a topic of disagreement. Decide who will speak first. Partner 1 shares their opinion. To earn the right to speak, Partner 2 must rephrase Partner 1’s statement (to their satisfaction) and share the main emotion they felt whilst listening to them. Then, Partner 2 shares their opinion and hands it over to Partner 1 who repeats the same process. This is continued for as long as necessary. If the summary of what each partner has said is unsatisfactory, then this must be repeated until there is full clarity. This ensures that each participant feels listened to and understood, fostering respectful and constructive communication. 

To effectively integrate the ‘Earn the Right to Speak’ method into your company, the following few key steps can be followed:

• Organize a mini-training session to familiarize your teams with the principles of the ‘Earn the Right to Speak’ method, using real-life scenarios to illustrate its effectiveness. 
• Implement communication practices that value active listening. For example, during meetings, allow time for each participant to speak without interruption. Create regular discussion forums where employees can express their concerns constructively. These spaces should be perceived as safe and non-judgmental.. 
• Regularly evaluate the effectiveness of the method by soliciting feedback from your teams. Adapt strategies according to needs and feedback.

Investing in conflict resolution methods like ‘Earn the Right to Speak’ is not only beneficial for resolving conflicts, but also for improving overall team dynamics and productivity. Share this article with your colleagues and invite them to explore conflict management and resolution methods to see the benefit for themselves!

Ndèye Ramatoulaye Basse