10 Ways to Signal "We Don't Want to Hear"

10 ways that managers and organizations discourage open communication:

1. Inviting only a predictable set of people to meetings.
2. Avoiding management by wandering around (MBWA).
3. Using MBWA to put people on the spot or to ask superficial questions.
4. Openly exiling dissenters.
5. Asking for input and then not listening.
6. Listening only to what is said and ignoring what is not said.
7. Turning staff meetings into pep rallies.
8. Never admitting mistakes.
9. Attributing continuing problems to predecessors.
10. Disparaging those who speak up.