(This came to me from a VP of HR anonymously - Steve)

One thing I’ve noticed in our company culture is that we do a great job of integrating people from every level of the organization — executives, leaders, managers, and front-line staff often sit at the same table together. We value openness and accessibility, which is something I truly appreciate.

That said, I’ve also noticed that in meetings, hierarchy can still quietly shape participation. Even in an open culture, people can hesitate to speak candidly when senior leaders are in the room. As a result, I’m concerned we may not be fully hearing the insights, creativity, and perspective of people closest to the work.

I’d love to learn from others who have successfully created more open, collaborative dialogue across levels within meetings.

What have you done to:

• Encourage people to speak more freely, regardless of title or position?
• Create psychological safety in mixed-level group settings?
• Draw out quieter voices without putting people on the spot?
• Structure discussions so they feel more conversational and less top-down?

I’m especially interested in practical approaches, meeting formats, facilitation techniques, or even small adjustments that made a noticeable difference.

Would appreciate any ideas or experiences you’d be willing to share.