⚡ENEDIS successfully implements the "Vacant Chair" practice in its management meetings, with a key goal: to make leadership more accessible to teams on the ground, ensuring ideas flow upward rather than just top-down. This approach aims to build confidence and trust, enable managers and board members to benefit from employees’ perspectives, concerns, and suggestions whilst enhancing transparency through demystifying management discussions. By actively involving them, this practice empowers employees to advocate for topics that matter to them.
Openness in decision-making processes fosters an environment where ideas flow freely, enriching collective dialogue. By integrating diverse perspectives, employees’ sense of belonging is strengthened, which is essential for effective team dynamics. This approach not only benefits decision-making but also aligns with the development of a Speak Up Culture 🗣️, encouraging everyone to voice their thoughts without fear and fully contribute to company projects
What is the “Vacant Chair" Practice?
🪑 The "Vacant Chair” practice involves keeping one or more seats available during management meetings, accessible to any team members. This approach allows anyone, based on their interest in the topics discussed, to freely join the meeting and take a seat at the table. It’s a straightforward initiative to build trust and harness the value of everyone’s ideas in strategic discussions.
How to implement this practice ?
🪑 Provide additional chairs for management meetings.
Plan a number of extra chairs for management meetings.
📢 Communicate the idea and agenda to employees
Communicate the agenda of the meeting and the availability of the vacant chair to employees a few days in advance.
🙋 Receiving employee requests
On the basis of this agenda, each member of staff can request to take part and occupy one of the available chairs.
💬 Running the meeting
The member of staff who occupies an empty chair becomes a member of the management team for the duration of the meeting.
Why should you implement The Vacant Chair Practice?
🧏 Inclusion and Active Listening: Introducing the vacant chair in management meetings demonstrates an openness to be transparent and include the viewpoints of employees. Active listening can be practiced both by management toward new ideas of guest members and by members who are gaining new insights into important topics discussed by management fostering a dialogue rich environment.
🤝 Employee Motivation and Engagement: A collaborative culture, where employees are invited to contribute, strengthens work relationships and encourages a deeper connection to the organization. This inclusion helps employees feel more invested in the company’s goals, motivating them to actively engage in company initiatives.
🫂 Sense of Belonging: When employees feel heard and recognized, they develop a strong sense of belonging. This recognition drives them to contribute more to company initiatives, solidifying their commitment to the organization's mission and values.
🤜🤛 Enhancing Adaptability and Retaining Talent: Open dialogue enables the company to adapt quickly to evolving employee needs, strengthening loyalty and reducing turnover by making employees feel valued.
🧠 Fostering Psychological Safety : By including employees in management discussions, the company creates an environment where individuals feel empowered to express their opinions, building trust and promoting openness.
Implementing the vacant chair practice in management meetings can serve as a powerful tool for fostering inclusion and engagement. By creating a space where every voice matters, companies can enhance their Speak Up Culture, strengthen the sense of belonging, and motivate employees to actively participate in the company’s mission. This contributes to a more effective and innovative workplace environment.
Join over 2,700 teams
OpenDecide helps teams achieve optimal team dynamics. Book a demo to find out how with one of our specialists.
Book a demo