Wednesday, June 4, 2025 Use Your Brave Voice at Work to Foster Positive Change It’s easy to stay silent at work. But when we voice concerns, we make our workplace safer and stronger Guide Magazine By Danielle Emel, National Administrator My eight-year-old daughter has selective mutism (SM), a severe anxiety disorder where a person who is fully capable of speaking becomes unable to do so in certain situations. For my daughter, this happens when she is around adults. Though she can chat freely with her peers, she has never spoken a single word to her teachers or any other adult—except for me, my husband, and, oddly enough, one staff person at my work. When faced with the expectation to speak, her body enters a freeze response. No matter how much she might want to talk, she simply can’t. It’s similar to a phobia—like an extreme fear of flying, spiders, or heights—except her fear is speaking. At home, she never stops talking, but in public, she remains completely silent. She was diagnosed at age four, and for the past four years, my husband and I have been learning how to navigate, support, and accommodate her anxiety. Treating SM is complex—after all, how do you go to therapy when you’re too afraid to speak to the therapist?! At home, we talk a lot about learning to use her “brave voice”—starting small, maybe with a thumbs-up, a nod, or mouthing words and building her confidence in the hopes that one day she will speak. Every tiny victory is celebrated because finding the courage to use your voice—even when it feels scary—is a big deal. At some point, I think all of us have struggled to use our brave voices at work. I know I certainly have! Maybe we were scared to share an idea at a meeting or avoided asking questions for fear of appearing stupid. Or maybe we avoided asking for help because we were embarrassed. In the workplace—especially a large one with hundreds of employees, managers, and others—it’s easy to stay silent. Staying quiet feels safe. But just like my daughter is learning, speaking up can lead to positive change. When we voice concerns, we make our workplace safer and stronger. When we share ideas, we contribute to growth and innovation. When we advocate for ourselves and each other, we build a culture of trust and respect. I encourage you to use your brave voice at work. It might feel uncomfortable at first, but every time you speak up, it gets a little easier. And just like my daughter, every small step forward is worth celebrating. You might be interested in Why We Work Safely 5 Jun 2026 Standing Your Ground, and Staying Steady on the Job 4 Jun 2026 CLAC Partners with Alberta Government to Advance Skilled Trades Training and Accelerate Certification 4 Jun 2026 Strathcona Mechanical Workers Ratify New Agreement Providing Wage, Scheduling Improvements 3 Jun 2026