For many bosses getting employees to tell them the truth can be like extracting one's own tooth, but author consultant, Rick Maurer, is on a mission to help bosses change this cycle by offering tips that employ his innovative Energy Bar tool.

Results from a study conducted by management researchers, Daniel Oestreich and Kathleen Ryan, revealed that 70 percent of people surveyed from a variety of industries were afraid to tell the boss the truth because they fear the repercussions.

Asked to comment on the findings, Maurer said: "People aren't idiots. They've seen what happens to people who tell the truth, they keep quiet. It's a huge problem. Organizations often have the collective wisdom to stay out of trouble, but no one dares mention problems."

The reality is that bosses want their employees to tell them the truth and that's why a number of organizations conduct employee surveys from time to time.  Maurer confirmed this with an experience. He said "Recently, a client asked me, 'How can I get people to tell me what they think?' He thought that his team trusted him (and I agreed), and yet, he still struggled to get people to talk openly." 

Despite employees' lack of enthusiasm to tell their bosses what they really think, it's not all doom and gloom for these leaders. There is actually a way to get the truth from employees without torturing them or offering them high doses of truth serum.  The answer- Maurer's Energy Bar tool designed to help leaders harness support for their ideas.

The Energy Bar features six different points of energy- (ranging from a point of resistance to a point of acceptance) - effective in helping users to easily identify where their team or stakeholders are on the bar.  Click here to watch a 3-minute animated video - http://www.rickmaurer.com/energybar/.

Tip # 1

The first tip Maurer offers is for bosses to  use the Energy Bar with their team, and discuss a key stakeholder such as the department  in the organization they find challenging. He explained: "Since you will be talking about people who are not in the room, it will probably be easier for all of you to speak more openly."

Through this tip bosses may see ways they and their team can work more effectively with the department they identified. More crucially, team members will be observing the boss' reaction. They will infer a lot from expressions such as furrowed brow, smiles, interest and curiosity in the ideas of others etc., so it's important to control reactions since the goal is a positive outcome.  Rick said: "If team members like what they see, they are likely to put a toe in the water next week. And, if they don't hear the theme music from Jaws, they might go in even deeper next time."

Tip #2

Rick's second tip is for bosses to use the Energy Bar to discuss a topic that is important to them and their team. In this activity, the boss should ask each person to imagine that the Energy Bar extends across the room. Then ask them to stand on a spot (including boss) that marks the level of energy needed to make the project a success.  Each individual should then, move to where his or her own energy is today with regard to that particular project.

Following the activity, launch a discussion about individual choices. During discussion, the boss should listen intently and try to understand what team members are saying without trouncing on their opinions.

The energy bar is relatively simple tool to use to get employees to be frank with their opinions. However, bosses who want some professional help to successfully execute these activities can contact 

If you'd like mroe examples -- and some success stories, please call.