The Cost of Staying in Your Lane at Work—And Why It’s Time to Speak Up
You’ve heard the phrase: “Stay in your lane.”
It’s advice dressed up as professionalism. But when it comes to inclusion, staying in your lane can quietly erode trust, credibility, and connection.
Especially if you’re in a position of leadership. Or influence. Or privilege.
Let’s talk about the hidden cost of silence—and how to replace it with something far more powerful.
Why Staying in Your Lane Feels Safe
For many professionals, staying in their lane has been a survival strategy. It’s how they’ve avoided drama, protected relationships, and navigated high-stakes workplaces where the rules aren’t always written.
You’ve seen what happens when people speak up—and it doesn’t always go well. So you stay focused. You mind your business. You “lead by example.”
And yes, that can be wise.
But in today’s increasingly diverse, emotionally intelligent workplaces, silence has a cost.
The Real Cost of Staying Quiet
Here’s what often goes unspoken when people stay in their lane:
A team member is harmed by bias—and feels isolated.
A client makes a cringey remark—and no one challenges it.
A decision is made without considering inclusion—and you notice, but don’t say a word.
That silence? It’s loud. It tells others: “You’re on your own.”
And that erodes psychological safety—the key to trust, innovation, and retention.
So What’s the Alternative?
You don’t have to become a DEI expert to build trust across differences.
You just need a framework to move from silence to signal.
Enter: The ARC Method®.
This isn’t about policing language or calling people out. It’s about being the kind of leader who shows up with curiosity, respect, and connection—even when things get messy.
ARC in Action
Let’s say you’re in a client meeting. Someone says, “I don’t see color—I treat everyone the same.”
It feels off. But you freeze. You’re not sure what to say without making it awkward.
Here’s how ARC helps:
Ask:
“Can I ask what you mean by that?”
A gentle prompt to clarify and slow down assumptions.
Respect:
“I know you’re coming from a good place.”
Acknowledges their intent without endorsing their impact.
Connect:
“For some folks, identity really matters—it’s how they feel seen. I’ve been learning more about that myself.”
Now you’ve shifted the tone, opened the door for growth, and modeled inclusive leadership.
All without preaching or punishing.
What Happens When You Stop Staying in Your Lane
Here’s what actually happens when you speak up with intention:
You earn more respect—not less.
Your teammates feel safer.
Clients trust you more deeply.
You start to feel like the inclusive leader you’ve always wanted to be.
Try This
The next time you hear something “off,” pause and ask yourself: What am I afraid will happen if I speak up?
Write down one phrase you can use in the moment. (Ex: “Can I ask what you meant by that?”)
Practice with a colleague. You don’t have to get it perfect—you just have to get more comfortable.
Want to build this muscle as a team?
Voices Carry is our bestselling workshop that helps professionals learn how to speak up, de-escalate discomfort, and build real inclusion in everyday interactions—without shame or scripts.