A Leader’s Guide to Responding When Someone Raises a Concern
Throughout my career advising health care, nonprofit and community organizations on communications, reputation and stakeholder relationships, I have seen one thing repeatedly: trust is often defined by how leaders respond when they hear something difficult. Every organization will eventually face a moment when someone raises a concern, identifies a risk or shares information that challenges what leaders believe to be true. The instinctive response may be to explain, defend or
Catherine Cameron
Aug 263 min read
When Organizational Silence Becomes a Reputation Risk
Organizations spend considerable time defining their values. Integrity, respect, accountability and compassion are carefully articulated in strategic plans, on websites and in leadership communications. These values shape how organizations want to be understood by employees, clients, partners and the communities they serve. However, values are not truly tested when circumstances are straightforward. They are tested when someone raises a concern that is difficult to hear, when
Catherine Cameron
Aug 264 min read
Trust Requires Transparency: The Importance of Boundaries in Professional Relationships
Trust is the foundation of every professional relationship. When we seek the expertise of a regulated professional, we are placing confidence in more than their technical skills. We are trusting that their judgment will be exercised independently, ethically, and in our best interests. Whether the relationship is between a patient and physician, a client and lawyer, a student and educator, or a pet owner and veterinarian, there is an underlying expectation: professional respon
Catherine Cameron
Aug 223 min read
When Values Are Tested: What Canada’s Moment Teaches Us About Leadership
There are moments when we are reminded of what we truly value. The recent breakdown in Canada-U.S. trade negotiations is one of those moments. It has created uncertainty for businesses, workers and families, but it has also started an important conversation about leadership, values and what it means to stand up for what matters. Canada and the United States have always shared one of the closest relationships in the world. We are neighbours, allies and trading partners. Our ec
Catherine Cameron
Aug 223 min read
Psychological Safety Begins With the Response
We hear a lot about psychological safety in the workplace. Organizations invest in training, policies and programs designed to create environments where people feel able to speak up, ask questions, challenge decisions and raise concerns. But I think we need to ask a harder question. What happens after someone does? Throughout my career, I have worked with leaders and organizations through change, conflict, crisis and difficult issues. I have seen how much depends on the respo
Catherine Cameron
Aug 103 min read
When Company Values Are Put to the Test
Most organizations know how to talk about their values. Integrity. Respect. Accountability. Transparency. Trust. They appear on websites, in strategic plans, recruitment materials and presentations about organizational culture. There is nothing wrong with these words. The question is whether those values hold when they are tested. All too often they don't. After more than 30 years working with organizations and leaders, I have learned that values are easy to claim. The real t
Catherine Cameron
Aug 103 min read