{"id":646,"date":"2021-11-01T17:41:57","date_gmt":"2021-11-01T17:41:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/?p=646"},"modified":"2025-10-27T00:00:00","modified_gmt":"2025-10-27T00:00:00","slug":"upward-communication","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/upward-communication\/","title":{"rendered":"Upward Communication: A Leader&#8217;s Guide to Fostering Feedback and Innovation"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Did you know that 51% of employees feel like they can\u2019t openly share their opinion at work?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These findings from the Belonging in the Workplace study by Opinium and ISS are quite problematic. Employee&#8217;s unaddressed concerns can escalate and lead to serious repercussions, such as increased stress at work, conflicts, a decrease in productivity, and even resignation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Upward communication, i.e., the information flow from subordinates to their superiors, is essential for the overall health and success of any organization.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why, in this blog post, we\u2019ll:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Provide a more detailed definition of upward communication,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Talk about its benefits for everyone involved,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consider some of its problems, and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Offer actionable tips on how you can make upward communication more effective in your workplace.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s start.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover.jpg\" alt=\"Upward Communication: A Leader's Guide to Fostering Feedback and Innovation - cover\" class=\"wp-image-20305\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover-600x300.jpg 600w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover-1110x555.jpg 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover-768x384.jpg 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/upward-communication-cover-18x9.jpg 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list key-takeaways\">\n<li>Upward communication is a bottom-up communication flow from lower-level employees to their superiors.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Some of the outcomes of poor or non-existent upward communication include having limited perspective and poor decision making, as well as increased stress and lower job satisfaction.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaders are responsible for cultivating a workplace culture that encourages upward communication by creating an open and receptive environment for these discussions, while also serving as a strong role model through active listening and a proactive approach to upward feedback.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Building a culture of open, upward communication requires the right tools that make it easier for employees to share their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, and offer suggestions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"what-is-upward-communication\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is upward communication?&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Upward communication is a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/communication-types\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communication type<\/a> along the vertical axis of interaction in an organization. In other words, it\u2019s a <strong>bottom-up communication flow from lower-level employees to their superiors<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Through this type of interaction, employees can voice their:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Opinions,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Concerns,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ideas,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Suggestions,&nbsp;<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Complaints,<\/strong> and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Comments about the day-to-day operations in the company.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Upward communication doesn\u2019t necessarily involve employees communicating with their immediate supervisors \u2014 they can \u201cskip a few rungs up the ladder\u201d and report to higher management.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This practice is associated with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scu.edu\/ethics\/focus-areas\/business-ethics\/resources\/encouraging-internal-whistleblowing\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">internal whistleblowing<\/a>, which employees resort to when they want to report the misconduct of their superiors to someone higher up the command chain.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To better understand upward communication, let\u2019s contrast it with its counterpart \u2014 downward communication. Downward communication flows in the opposite direction \u2014 from superiors to subordinates. In a way, downward communication is the default mode of <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/organizational-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">organizational communication<\/a>, as it ensures everyone knows what their responsibilities are and what the common goal is.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group pro-tip\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<p>\ud83d\udca1 <strong>Pumble Pro Tip<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Upward and downward communication types follow the vertical line of interaction in an organization. To explore other directions team communication can take, you can check out the following resources:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/lateral-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Lateral Communication: What It Is, Why It\u2019s Useful, and How to Improve It<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/diagonal-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Diagonal Communication: Definitions, Pros, Cons, and Tips<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/downward-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">What is Downward Communication: A Leader\u2019s Guide to Building Alignment and Trust<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"examples-of-upward-communication\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Examples of upward communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s get a closer look of how upward communication can look like in an organization by going through some examples of it and explaining its benefits.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Manager feedback surveys <\/strong>\u2014 Great way to gauge the employee sentiment about the performance of their supervisor, thus encouraging constructive upward communication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Employee polls<\/strong> \u2014 Including the team in the <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/remote-decision-making-models\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">decision-making process<\/a> leads to much better decisions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Suggestion boxes <\/strong>\u2014<strong> <\/strong>Anonymous suggestions create a direct channel for uninhibited upward communication.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Unprompted employee feedback to management <\/strong>\u2014<strong> <\/strong>Having an open-door policy makes employees feel free to directly approach you on any issue, be it in person or via another <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/communication-channels\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">company communication channel<\/a>, like in the following <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pumble<\/a> example:<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1353\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app.png\" alt=\"Example of upward communication in Pumble, a team messaging app\" class=\"wp-image-20314\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app.png 2400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-532x300.png 532w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-1110x626.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-2048x1155.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Example-of-upward-communication-in-Pumble-a-team-messaging-app-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Example of upward communication in Pumble, a team messaging app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-features\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Make upward communication easier<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Simplify team collaboration and share more openly. Try Pumble by CAKE.com.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"why-is-upward-communication-still-so-rare-common-barriers\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Why is upward communication still so rare? Common barriers<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lately, companies have realized just how important the bottom-up information flow is for <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/communication-importance\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">healthy team communication<\/a>. That\u2019s why they started actively encouraging upward communication in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet, a recent study <a href=\"https:\/\/www.neuroscigroup.com\/articles\/CBP-1-101.php\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Leaders\u2019 tendency to over- and underestimate themselves and their organizations<\/em><\/a> indicates senior managers see fewer problems than their junior colleagues \u2014 as a result of insufficient upward feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Interacting with higher-ups can get tricky, especially when employees need to provide critical feedback or in the <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/crisis-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">times of crisis<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some most common barriers that prevent a healthy flow of information up the command chain:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Deeply-rooted fear <\/strong>\u2014 We have an ingrained, deeply-rooted, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/publication\/238382691_Silenced_by_fear\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">evolutionary fear of confronting authority figures<\/a>, which activates when speaking to our bosses.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Autocratic leadership behavior <\/strong>\u2014<strong> <\/strong>When leaders are highly dictatorial, dismiss any input, and even punish any attempts to speak up, they suffocate all efforts at sharing.&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ingratiation <\/strong>\u2014<strong> <\/strong>When all the manager hears are sweet lies, they get a wrong picture of their performance and relationship with the team.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-landing-2\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Empower your team to communicate more openly<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Effortless collaboration and communication. Try Pumble.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-2@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-2.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-high-cost-of-silence-the-tangible-effects-of-poor-upward-communication\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The high cost of silence: The tangible effects of poor upward communication&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Upward communication is not only beneficial for lower-level employees \u2014 when information is allowed to flow freely across all hierarchical levels, everybody wins!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Unfortunately, not all organizations welcome all voices to the forefront.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To illustrate the importance of upward communication, let\u2019s examine what happens when it\u2019s poor or non-existent.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"leaders-have-incomplete-perspective-about-growth-opportunities\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leaders have incomplete perspective about growth opportunities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Through upward communication, and especially feedback, managers can discover ways to grow and become better leaders.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like employees, managers might be doing something wrong without even realizing it, and, without the timely feedback, they may <strong>miss getting a clearer picture of their leadership and <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/executive-communications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>executive communication skills<\/strong><\/a> and what they need to work on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"management-is-in-the-dark-about-the-state-of-their-team\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Management is in the dark about the state of their team<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If supervisors are not aware of the problems their employees might be experiencing, they can\u2019t fix them or help other team members work on them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s not only about problems, either \u2014 if they\u2019re disconnected from their team, they\u2019ll fail to <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/employee-recognition\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">recognize individual accomplishments<\/a> and strengths, which can negatively <strong>affect employee morale and productivity<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep everyone in the loop with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"leadership-is-limited-to-poor-decision-making\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Leadership is limited to poor decision making<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>By not including their team in the decision-making process, managers are <strong>missing the benefits of bringing different skills, perspectives, and opinions<\/strong> into play. This kind of diversity<a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter\/\"> <\/a>is proven to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.scientificamerican.com\/article\/how-diversity-makes-us-smarter\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">lead to better decision making<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If a team collaborates on a project the manager needs to make a decision about, first-hand insight is crucial for making the right choice.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the same time, if the upward communication doors are not open, managers are at risk of not making the right decisions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"stress-in-the-workplace-is-rampant\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Stress in the workplace is rampant<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Ineffective <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/corporate-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>corporate communication<\/strong><\/a><strong> makes employees stressed out,<\/strong> according to a 2024 <a href=\"https:\/\/go.grammarly.com\/2024-state-of-business-communication-report\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Grammarly study<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, the study we already mentioned, <a href=\"https:\/\/workplaceinsight.net\/while-most-people-feel-they-belong-at-work-many-also-complain-about-being-silenced\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>Belonging in the Workplace<\/em><\/a>, shows that 25% of employees who feel they can\u2019t openly express their opinion at work link this directly to worsened mental health \u2014 such as anxiety or depression.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Open and honest communication with their supervisors can help solve this problem and drastically improve employee well-being in the workplace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"job-satisfaction-and-the-sense-of-inclusivity-are-low\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Job satisfaction and the sense of inclusivity are low<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>When people don\u2019t feel heard and appreciated, they are much more likely to not enjoy their job. Consequently, they get worse at doing their job.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The numbers are clear \u2014 upward communication positively affects job satisfaction. According to <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/communication-statistics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Pumble&#8217;s Workplace Communication Statistics<\/a>, those who feel heard at work are 4.6 times more likely to feel empowered to perform their best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, if employees don\u2019t feel like their voices are heard, their sense of purpose and belonging in the company suffers. They are much <strong>less likely to share in the company\u2019s values or feel motivated to take initiative<\/strong> in achieving their shared goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"success-is-in-question\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Success is in question<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The obstructed bottom-up flow of communication <strong>decreases employee engagement<\/strong>, which leads to decreased productivity, and ultimately \u2014 lower profits for the company. The <a href=\"https:\/\/hbr.org\/2024\/11\/turn-employee-feedback-into-action\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Harvard Business Review<\/a> suggests managers should actively solicit feedback from their employees and act on it if they want to ensure sustainable success.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"turnover-rates-are-high\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Turnover rates are high&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As we have seen, employees are much less satisfied at work when their voices aren\u2019t being heard and appreciated. Thus, they are much more likely to quit prematurely.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, without the proper upward communication, <strong>companies increase their turnover rates<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>High turnover can cost a company <a href=\"https:\/\/www.mckinsey.com\/capabilities\/people-and-organizational-performance\/our-insights\/some-employees-are-destroying-value-others-are-building-it-do-you-know-the-difference\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">between $228 million and $355 million<\/a> a year in lost productivity, not to mention that excessive turnover can damage the company\u2019s reputation as an employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"innovation-is-stifled\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Innovation is stifled&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>No one is more familiar with your company operations than front-line employees. Without their regular input, you\u2019re <strong>missing valuable contributions of innovative ideas<\/strong> on how you can improve your operations and take them to the next level.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-landing-4\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Inspire team innovation<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Boost teamwork and simplify communication by switching your team to Pumble by CAKE.com.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-4@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/landing-4.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"5-actionable-strategies-to-build-a-culture-of-upward-communication\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">5 Actionable strategies to build a culture of upward communication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For lower-level employees\u2019 voices to be heard and acknowledged, leaders need to foster a culture of upward communication in the workplace.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Seems easier said than done \u2014 but it doesn\u2019t have to be overly complicated if you use the right strategies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s examine how to encourage upward communication and uplift employees to speak up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"1-lead-by-example-and-ask-for-feedback\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#1 Lead by example and ask for feedback<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Just like employees are subject to regular formal <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/virtual-performance-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">performance reviews<\/a>, so should you as a leader encourage them to give you regular feedback.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As one of our expert contributors, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/jessica-p-b14aa532\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Jessica Plonchak<\/a>, LCPC, LCSW, and executive clinical director, points out, leaders play a main role in fostering a feedback culture. It all starts with transparency and honesty:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg\" alt=\"Jessica Plonchak\" class=\"wp-image-20315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-12x12.jpeg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>When leaders admit their mistakes and openly talk about learned lessons, it shows everyone that vulnerability is a core strength. Companies should also praise\/reward honesty in addition to performance. Acknowledging employees who speak thoughtfully makes the truth an integral part of a system.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from encouraging your employees to reach out to you informally about anything that bothers them, you should:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Conduct surveys,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Hold one-on-ones, or&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ask for other forms of <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/formal-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">formal feedback<\/a> in regular intervals.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>This way, you\u2019re <strong>letting your team know that their observations about your performance are just as important as yours about their performance<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This ties well with another key piece of the upward communication puzzle Jessica Plonchak stressed out as critical for leaders who want to encourage their teams to share more openly \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/emotional-intelligence-in-the-workplace\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">emotional intelligence<\/a>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg\" alt=\"Jessica Plonchak\" class=\"wp-image-20315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-12x12.jpeg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Leaders should be well-trained in emotional intelligence, such as listening without judgment and suggesting feedback accurately to build a healthy relationship with employees.<\/em>\u201d<em> <\/em>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Foster healthy team communication with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"2-create-spaces-for-upward-communication\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#2 Create spaces for upward communication<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Before you start building actual spaces and channels for upward communication, it might be best to first work on <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/psychological-safety\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>creating a safe psychological environment<\/strong><\/a><strong> for these conversations<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Jessica Plonchak believes that psychological safety is the main building block upon which the culture of upward communication is built and developed.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg\" alt=\"Jessica Plonchak\" class=\"wp-image-20315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-12x12.jpeg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>When some individuals fear judgment or retaliation, they can&#8217;t convey their best ideas, and they tend to hide problems that should have been addressed in the first place.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Moreover, she reminds us that a culture of healthy upward communication shouldn\u2019t be a one-and-done instance solely reliant on annual feedback, but a continual focused effort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"400\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg\" alt=\"Jessica Plonchak\" class=\"wp-image-20315\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak.jpeg 400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-300x300.jpeg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/jessica-plonchak-12x12.jpeg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 400px) 100vw, 400px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>A culture of openness and fairness cannot be built by asking for annual feedback; rather, it is built through <\/em><strong><em>consistency, regular modeling, and sustained emotional safety.<\/em><\/strong>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s a great idea to establish a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/planning-communication\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">detailed internal communication plan<\/a> so that employees understand the best channels through which they can reach out depending on their reason for contacting you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if they want to discuss the possibility of a promotion, you might instruct them to schedule a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/one-on-one-meeting\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">one-on-one meeting<\/a> with you using your communication app.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if your team have a quick question or note, they can either DM you or write in the relevant team channel (e.g., if they have a suggestion for you, they can write in the <em>#manager_feedback<\/em> or <em>#employee_suggestions<\/em> channel).<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1347\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward.png\" alt=\"Encourage your employees to share upward feedback\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-20316\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward.png 2400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-535x300.png 535w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-1110x623.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-768x431.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-1536x862.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-2048x1149.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Encourage-your-employees-to-share-feedback-upward-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Encourage your employees to share upward feedback&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"3-practice-active-listening-and-acknowledge-all-input\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#3 Practice active listening and acknowledge all input&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Be open and receptive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>None of these efforts will yield results if you invite employees to share but then reject their ideas, become defensive when they provide critical feedback, or punish them for being honest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Practicing <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/active-listening\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">active listening<\/a> goes a long way in creating a culture open to upward communication by:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Showing a positive attitude<\/strong> and regard to people sharing upwardly,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Focusing all your attention on the speaker<\/strong> offering feedback, and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Being flexible to adjust your response<\/strong> to the speaker and the specific situation.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>We spoke with <a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/burkanbur\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Burkan Bur<\/a>, a managing director for a marketing company, and he highlighted the importance of <strong>flattening out hierarchy amongst team discussion<\/strong> as one of the key first steps toward more open upward communication. In his words:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur.jpg\" alt=\"Burkan Bur\" class=\"wp-image-20317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur-12x12.jpg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>Titles vanish and curiosity rules the day. After all, when junior team members see leadership is sincerely asking, \u2018What do you think we overlooked here?\u2019 it is amazing what candor you will receive.<\/em>\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the ways you can achieve this is by actively working on <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/skills-of-effective-communicators\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">your communication skills<\/a> so that you can handle any communication situation with ease and grace \u2014 and build trust with your team members.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"4-foster-a-culture-of-participation\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#4 Foster a culture of participation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Invite participation from your team by <strong>showing that you value their ideas and opinions<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here are some examples of how to do that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Have brainstorming sessions together.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create sheets where everyone can pitch their ideas for various projects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have individual team members share tips with others within their area of expertise.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Create a dedicated channel in your <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/team-collaboration-software\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">team collaboration software<\/a> where everyone can share useful files and other resources they deem valuable for the project.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1354\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble.png\" alt=\"Dedicated channel for useful resources in Pumble, a business communication app\" class=\"wp-image-20318\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble.png 2400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-532x300.png 532w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-1110x626.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-1536x867.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-2048x1155.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Dedicated-channel-for-useful-resources-in-Pumble-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Dedicated channel for useful resources in Pumble, a business communication app<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"5-act-on-feedback-and-close-the-loop\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">#5 Act on feedback and close the loop&nbsp;<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Finally, once you\u2019ve done all the steps to encourage all voices, the crucial last step is to act on suggestions and requests.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because, let\u2019s face it, even with the most upward feedback-friendly workforce and receptive managers, inaction renders these efforts useless. Worse still, failing to update those who proposed actions about the next steps will lead them to feel their input falls on deaf ears, discouraging future contributions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As our contributor, Burkan Bur, concludes, closing the loop and acting on feedback <strong>helps employees understand that their opinion matters<\/strong> and makes a difference:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns pro-blockquote is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-9d6595d7 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur.jpg\" alt=\"Burkan Bur\" class=\"wp-image-20317\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur.jpg 500w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/burkan-bur-12x12.jpg 12w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\">\n<p>\u201c<em>For instance, if a participant in a brainstorming session offers an idea, I make sure to tell him or her what subsequently happens with it, whether it\u2019s adopted, tabled, or experimented with, and why. When team members see that their voice ties directly to results, they tend to engage and contribute more.<\/em>\u201d&nbsp;<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:20px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-light pumble-gradient-templates\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">Make communication easier<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Simplify upward communication. Try Pumble.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/templates@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/templates.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"the-right-infrastructure-for-honesty-how-your-tools-can-help\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">The right infrastructure for honesty: How your tools can help&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Building a culture of open, <strong>upward communication doesn\u2019t just happen. It needs the right setup<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want people to speak up, you need to give them the right tools to do so.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That means choosing <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/learn\/communication\/best-team-communication-tools\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">communication tools<\/a> that don\u2019t just keep the work moving, but actually make it easier for employees to share their thoughts and ideas, ask questions, and offer suggestions without feeling like they\u2019re stepping out of line.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>You can instruct your team to start by thinking about the message they want to communicate and then pick the channel that suits it best.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If it\u2019s a formal request, they may want to use email, as it\u2019s still considered the right way to go for more official types of inquiries.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>On the other hand, if they have a suggestion after a presentation, they can send a quick message in your <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/team-communication-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">team communication app<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And, when employees want to talk about something a bit more personal, like their career goals or future path, you can schedule a live or <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/video-conferencing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video conference meeting<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bottom line is that the more thoughtful you are about where and how you let your team speak up, the more likely it is that it will land well.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n<div class=\"banner banner-dark pumble-gradient-features\">\n    <div class=\"banner-text lg:pr-[6rem]\">\n        <span class=\"h4 text-lg translation-block mb-0\">All-in-one digital HQ<\/span>\n        <p class=\"translation-block mt-1 mb-3\">Strengthen your team. Try Pumble by CAKE.com, the all-in-one communication app.<\/p>\n\n        <div class=\"banner-buttons d-flex gap-4 align-items-center translation-block justify-content-center justify-content-sm-start\">\n            <a class=\"bg-white rounded px-3 py-1 text-gray-dark\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\">Sign up<\/a>\n\n                            <a class=\"button-2\" href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\" target=\"_blank\">Learn more<\/a>\n                    <\/div>\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"banner-image banner-image-middle \">\n        <picture>\n            <source srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features@2x.png 2x\" alt=\"Illustration\"  media=\"(min-width: 1022px)\" \/>\n            <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/themes\/cake-blog\/theme\/images\/banners\/features.png\"  alt=\"Illustration\" \/>\n        <\/picture>\n    <\/div>\n<\/div>\n    \n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"create-safe-spaces\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create safe spaces<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>A culture of feedback needs safe, accessible channels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s face it \u2014 old tools like a physical suggestion box hardly cut it anymore.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you want employees to freely express their thoughts, you have to make it easy, safe, and natural to do so. That\u2019s where modern communication tools like Pumble by <a href=\"https:\/\/cake.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">CAKE.com<\/a> come in.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As we mentioned earlier, one of the biggest barriers to upward communication is fear. Whether it\u2019s fear of saying the wrong thing or stepping on toes, your team will most likely feel super uncomfortable openly sharing upward.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And what the right tools help you do is take a lot of that fear away.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/channels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">setting up private channels in Pumble<\/a> <strong>gives employees a more comfortable space to communicate their ideas, concerns, or suggestions<\/strong> without having to voice their input in front of the entire team.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>It\u2019s an equivalent to pulling a few people aside for a quick conversation on site instead of speaking up in a company meeting.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1353\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble.png\" alt=\"Private upward feedback channel in Pumble\" class=\"wp-image-20319\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble.png 2400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-532x300.png 532w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-1110x626.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-768x433.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-1536x866.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-2048x1155.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Private-upward-feedback-channel-in-Pumble-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Private upward feedback channel in Pumble<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>Moreover, a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/secure-messaging-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secure messaging app<\/a> also keeps your conversations confidential and safe from loss, leaks, and misuse, which is critical for gaining your team\u2019s trust to openly share.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Keep your conversations, videos, and files truly confidential in Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 id=\"create-contextual-feedback-with-threads\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Create contextual feedback with threads<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You don\u2019t want valuable feedback to get buried in the noise.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s where <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/threads\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">threads<\/a> in a <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/business-messaging-app\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">business messaging app<\/a> like Pumble really shine.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Let\u2019s say you\u2019re <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/change-communications\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">discussing upcoming changes<\/a> or announcing a new project. Team members can respond right there in a thread, keeping their feedback tied directly to the topic.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Threads thus:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Keep the conversations organized,&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make them easy to follow, and&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Ensure suggestions and concerns are recorded.&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Instead of derailing the main conversation line, threads <strong>keep the feedback neat and focused<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2395\" height=\"1147\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble.png\" alt=\"Contextual feedback in threads in Pumble, a team collaboration app\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-20320\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble.png 2395w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-626x300.png 626w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-1110x532.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-768x368.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-1536x736.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-2048x981.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Contextual-feedback-in-threads-in-Pumble-18x9.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2395px) 100vw, 2395px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Contextual feedback in threads in Pumble, a team collaboration app&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 id=\"keep-a-record-of-being-heard\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Keep a record of being heard<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>One of the best ways to show employees that their feedback matters is to actually keep track of it, and respond.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Pumble&#8217;s <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/knowledge-sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>unlimited message history<\/strong><\/a> makes that simple. Everything is searchable and permanent, which means <strong>nothing can ever get lost<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If someone made a suggestion a few weeks ago, it\u2019s easy to pull it up and show that it was heard, considered, and maybe even acted on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"2400\" height=\"1361\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search.png\" alt=\"Pumble lets you find messages, channels, files, or people in a single, quick search\" class=\"wp-image-20321\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search.png 2400w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-529x300.png 529w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-1110x629.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-768x436.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-1536x871.png 1536w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-2048x1161.png 2048w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Pumble-lets-you-find-messages-channels-files-or-people-in-a-single-quick-search-18x10.png 18w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 2400px) 100vw, 2400px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Pumble lets you find messages, channels, files, or people in a single, quick search<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>That kind of <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/transparent-communication-in-flexible-work-strategies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">transparency builds trust<\/a> and, when people trust that their voice matters, they\u2019re more likely to speak up more often.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 id=\"enhance-your-upward-communication-with-pumble-by-cake-com\" class=\"wp-block-heading\">Enhance your upward communication with Pumble by CAKE.com<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>To improve the information flow from subordinates to superiors, it is paramount to use an efficient <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/workplace-chat\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">workplace communication app<\/a>, such as Pumble.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>With Pumble, your team can always reach out to you directly, thanks to <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/direct-messages\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">direct messages<\/a> and private and public channels.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Fostering upward communication is easy when you use the right communication channel. So, if you have something confidential to discuss or simply prefer face-to-face communication, you can schedule <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/voice-calls\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">audio<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/group-meetings\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">video calls<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>During video calls, participants can <a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/features\/screen-sharing\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">share their screens<\/a> to make their points clearer, presentations more engaging, and ensure they\u2019re communicating as effectively as possible.<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"953\" src=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble.png\" alt=\"Screen sharing in Pumble\u00a0\" class=\"wp-image-20322\" srcset=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble.png 1200w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble-378x300.png 378w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble-1110x882.png 1110w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble-768x610.png 768w, https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Screen-sharing-in-Pumble-15x12.png 15w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Screen sharing in Pumble&nbsp;<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p>No matter what you say or share in your Pumble workspace, it will be 100% confidential and stay within hand\u2019s reach, thanks to Pumble\u2019s advanced security features and unlimited message history.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enhance your upward communication and melt the proverbial hierarchical iceberg of ignorance \u2014 with Pumble by CAKE.com!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"custom-btn\"><a href=\"https:\/\/pumble.com\/register\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Get started with Pumble<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Upward communication happens when employees voice their opinions, concerns, ideas, suggestions, or complaints to their superiors.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":10,"featured_media":20306,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-646","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-communication-tips"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/10"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=646"}],"version-history":[{"count":64,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":23307,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/646\/revisions\/23307"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/20306"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=646"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=646"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/pumble.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=646"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}