SDEA Strategic Leadership Series: Speaking Up When the Stakes are High

Three Prominent San Diego Leaders Share Stories about Forging Their Professional Path and Speaking When the Stakes Are High When difficult situations arise in the workplace, people often wonder whether to speak up and, if so, what to say.  They may debate the pros and cons of informing someone about the challenges they are facing, whether it is a hostile work environment due to a vindictive colleague, a situation that could be considered harassment based on race, gender or age, or a sense that something is amiss in the accounting department. At these times, employees often do not feel comfortable telling their boss or someone in HR, and they are frequently left wondering who to talk to, if anyone.  When the stakes are high and something is wrong, it can be especially difficult to speak up.  People often think it?s safer not to say anything, or to only share their struggles with a trusted family member or a confidant outside of work.  Whether the dilemma is related to sexual harassment, workplace sabotage by people in positions of authority, or a sense that important policies and procedures are being bent or ignored, employees are left wondering where to turn and what to say if they do choose to speak up.  In this Strategic Leadership Series panel discussion, you will hear personal stories from business industry leaders Patti Roscoe, Dan Eaton, and Dr. Joyce Gattas.  Each of these individuals will share specific stories from their professional lives regarding how they chose to handle situations when the stakes were high, their career or professional reputation was on the line, and they had to make a choice about whether to share concerning information.  Having a pre-developed strategy as you navigate unexpected situations across the span of a career will be essential.  You will leave the Strategic Leadership Series with concrete knowledge of how to handle difficult and often very personal situations in the workplace, as well as a strategy for action which can be implemented in even the most egregious circumstances.