Authentic feedback is necessary to organizational growth, but leaders themselves must set the tone

We want everyone to thrive and succeed in the workplace, says Prof. Patricia Faison Hewlin, but organizations need feedback from their employees for relationships to develop and to learn from mistakes, to improve, to innovate. But asking people to speak up is its own challenge. On January 23, Faison Hewlin shared insights about how it can be accomplished as part of the University of Oregon’s African American Workshop and Lecture Series. In order to build an environment of trust, leaders must be consistent in their decision-making, be supportive, and be open to diverse opinions, says Faison Hewlin. Trust begins with leaders because they set the tone.