Let Me Say the Quiet Part Out Loud…

2 days ago
2 min read

Let me say the quiet part out loud…

Speaking up at work can absolutely cost you.

We love to preach things like “psychological safety” and “open feedback culture”…

But the moment you actually tell the truth?

You become a problem.

And let’s talk about those “anonymous” employee engagement surveys for a second…

Because yeah—not so anonymous.

I tested it.

At the time, I was leading a large region for an organization. When the survey rolled around, I left very specific feedback about my direct leader.

Not vague. Not sugar-coated. Intentional. And true.

I wrote:

“I would not talk to my neighbor’s dog the way she spoke to me and others on her team.

”Why?

Because it was true.

And because I knew no one else would write that exact sentence.

When results came back… that comment?

It showed up in MY region’s feedback results. Not hers.

Let that sink in.

Feedback about her leadership was counted against me and my team’s performance metrics.

So not only was it not anonymous, it was misattributed in a way that directly impacted me.

This is exactly why people stay quiet. Not because they don’t care. Not because they’re disengaged. But because they’re paying attention.

Because they’ve learned the hard way that honesty doesn’t always get rewarded—

Sometimes it gets you labeled.

Sometimes it gets you isolated.

And sometimes… it gets used against you.

In toxic cultures, being honest at work is one of the fastest ways to become enemy #1.

And that’s not how it should be.

If organizations actually want real feedback, real growth, and real leadership — they need to stop punishing the very people willing to tell the truth.

Until then?

Let’s stop pretending the system is built for honesty.

Allie Lozano has 20 years of nursing and C-suite experience with multiple hospitals across Texas. Her leadership philosophy is rooted in authenticity, resilience, and the ability to inspire change in even the most challenging environments. Allie is known for her trailblazing spirit, especially in working with female leaders. This was originally posted March 26, 2026 and is reposted here with permission. You can learn more about Allie on her site, and you can email her here.