Blog

Blogs

Jessica Bensch

9-Nov-2022

Raising Awareness Takes More Than a Window

When people talk or write about ‘psychological safety’ they often come at it from a theoretical perspective. At Vanguard Voices we’re a little different. We want to take action towards allowing everyo...

Jessica Bensch

9-Nov-2022

Leap of Faith

While it may seem new Vanguard Voices has been in the works for nearly two years. I imagine many people have that ah-ha moment that changes their lives, maybe some have many. It is that moment that ma...

Jessica Bensch

9-Nov-2022

Collective Accountability for Collective Health

While no one can be responsible for another’s thoughts or actions, organizations must acknowledge there is a collective accountability to ensure everyone is able to speak out. Often, unhealthy behavio...

Jessica Bensch

4-Sep-2023

What Strategies Can I Use to Ensure My Voice is Heard?

Ever been in a meeting with an idea or concern but hesitated to share it? You're not alone. It's a familiar scenario: we want to speak up, but fear holds us back. Some of us gather the courage to voic...

Stories

Jessica Bensch

9-Nov-2022

Open ears and open minds

If you want to create a culture of open dialogue, transparency is key. When organizations more towards more agile ways of working, they tend to focus on business process improvements. This means that ...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

Performance management process

I do not understand the performance management process. My personal experience has included feedback focussed on a minor incident or misunderstanding held during the year (e.g. I did not submit a repo...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

My Name is Trouble Maker

On one hand I appreciate working in my organization. I believe in our mission. My salary and benefits are also decent enough. I am constantly challenging myself and our work - striving for more so we ...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

My Name is Quiet, Unsung Hero

I am hardworking, conscious and diligent with my work - and get positive feedback from my peers. However, in meetings I have a quieter voice. In the interest of time and objectives, I do not feel the ...

Jessica Bensch

12-Sep-2022

My Name is Fearful with a Reason

My department head requested performance feedback on my manager - Mr B - through WorkDay. I spent more than ½ day formulating my thoughts and drafting the words for WorkDay. I wanted my thoughts to co...

Jessica Bensch

5-Oct-2022

My Connection to Work - Diminished

When I first joined my company I had the impression that I joined one big family. I would walk around the campus and people greeted me, there were smiling faces everywhere. My department was lively, p...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

More Time to Share Ideas

I belong to a great team of more than 10 people. Not only are we colleagues, we also regularly meet after work for drinks/social events. There is a positive atmosphere and wonderful camaraderie amongs...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

Let Your Light Shine

I had not worked in an office for 25 years until a manager met me and believed in me. He needed an English speaking person with a good attitude and he didn't care about the skills (or lack thereof) th...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

I couldn't tell my manager that I couldn't do the job

I was very new to the team, a complete junior. I had to learn everything from scratch. I took a training course meant to be directly related to the job - but later learned that the training did not of...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

I prefer to lose 1 poor manager than 5 great colleagues

When my manager was promoted into a new position, I became the team lead ad interim for 9 months. Although I was asked to take the role full-time, I did not assume the position because I worked partti...

Jessica Bensch

11-Oct-2022

Do we legitimize poor behaviour when we do not call it out?

I'm proud to work in my company. We have an established name, a legacy, a brand that is so amazing especially from the outside. We also have the privilege of being able to attract the best and smartes...