Anyone can ‘speak up’ at work, but establishing an authentic voice that is welcomed and productive requires a “deliberate and often exhausting cost-benefit analysis” in order for the rewards of sharing your thoughts and ideas to outweigh the risks, says Bryant researcher Zahra Heydarifard, Ph.D., who studies well-being, job performance, and quality of life. 

Fundamentally, voice is a proactive behavior that requires individuals to go beyond their formal job responsibilities, says Heydarifard, an assistant professor of Management. 

“It involves identifying problems or opportunities, formulating thoughtful ideas, and sharing them with the appropriate recipients—all without the expectation of immediate rewards,” she says. “Ultimately, being authentic doesn’t mean disregarding the dynamics of teamwork. It’s about finding a balance between staying true to yourself and contributing to the collective success of the group.” 

Raising your voice at work can be fraught for anyone, but especially for new employees and underrepresented populations.  

“Managers may perceive voice as a threat to their authority, image, or even as an additional problem to manage — leading to negative reactions,” Heydarifard says. “When voice is not well-received, the speaker risks being labeled as a troublemaker or someone who is not aligned with the team or organization. This can harm their reputation and career prospects.” 

Of course, failing to actively engage in workplace discussions also can be detrimental to career goals. Heydarifard says strategies for speaking effectively in your authentic voice include the following: 

• Develop a strong sense of self-esteem. “This will empower you to express your ideas without fear of judgment or rejection.”
• Focus on shared goals. “Aligning your authentic voice with the collective mission makes it easier to frame your contributions in a way that resonates with others and adds value to the team.”
• Practice active listening. “Authenticity isn’t just about speaking up; it’s also about being open to others’ perspectives. Actively listen to your teammates, acknowledge their ideas, and create a culture of mutual respect. This openness encourages others to reciprocate and fosters an environment where everyone feels safe to share their thoughts.”
• Frame your voice thoughtfully. “Present your ideas in a way that feels collaborative rather than confrontational. Use inclusive language, focus on solutions, and emphasize how your suggestions align with the team’s objectives. This reduces the risk of your voice being perceived as threatening.”
• Cultivate a culture of openness. “By consistently demonstrating openness to feedback and new ideas, you encourage others to do the same. Over time, this helps build a team culture where authenticity is valued and rewarded.” 

Fear of being misunderstood and not fitting in with workplace culture can be significant barriers to speaking with an authentic voice, particularly for underrepresented populations that confront additional barriers of bias and stereotypes, says Heydarifard. 

“This fear can silence their voices and prevent them from fully contributing,” she says. “The pressure to conform can create a conflict between their authentic identity and the persona they feel compelled to adopt at work. Over time, this dissonance can lead to emotional exhaustion and a sense of alienation.”  

Both employers and employees suffer when workers feel like they cannot communicate authentically, she says.  

“It undermines trust within the team, and without it, relationships become strained, and communication and collaboration break down,” says Heydarifard. “Shared goals become harder to achieve, and commitment to those goals diminishes, as individuals feel disconnected from the team’s mission.” 

Innovation and creativity also are stifled, while job satisfaction declines and turnover increases.  

“Even if employees don’t leave the organization, they may psychologically withdraw from their work. This means they stop contributing fully, avoid taking initiative, and disengage from team goals, which harms overall productivity,” she says. 

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When employees are encouraged to voice their opinions authentically, however, overall well-being is improved.  

“Being heard and valued boosts cognitive resources, such as confidence and a sense of accomplishment, which can spill over into personal life,” Heydarifard says. “This positive reinforcement creates a virtuous cycle, where individuals feel more empowered and satisfied, leading to improved interactions and recovery activities outside of work.” 

“Authentic voice can strengthen work-life balance by fostering a sense of fulfillment that transcends the workplace,” she says.