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Every workplace loves confidence. Every manager says, “My door is always open.” Every employee is encouraged to speak up.
But what many people forget is this: Speaking up is an art. And sometimes, it’s not your message that gets you in trouble, it’s your timing… and your audience.
Let’s explore what happens when well-meaning professionals speak up at the wrong time or to the wrong person.
Table of Contents
1. When Cristiano Ronaldo Spoke Up to Piers Morgan
Cristiano Ronaldo’s explosive interview before his exit from Manchester United is one classic example. Nothing he said was particularly new; he had concerns. He did feel sidelined. He was frustrated. But the problem? Wrong timing. Wrong platform. Wrong audience. The outcome? A legendary footballer found himself walking out of his boyhood club earlier than expected. Not because he spoke… but because he didn’t speak to the right people at the right time.
2. Mo Salah’s Press Interview
Mohammed Salah is another powerful example.
At some point, there were speculations because he was openly expressing dissatisfaction, publicly, subtly, and sometimes indirectly. But football clubs don’t operate on emotions; they operate on contracts, timing, and strategy.
In an interview Mo Salah poured out his frustrations, he said “I’m very, very disappointed. To be fair, I have done so much for this club down the years and especially last season. Now I’m sitting on the bench and I don’t know why. It seems like the club has thrown me under the bus. That is how I am feeling. I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame”. – Source: CNN
Speaking too soon, too openly, or too emotionally can distort negotiations and place a player in a difficult position. Again, the story teaches us: There is a difference between honesty and timing.
3. In the Office: Kwame’s “Brutal Honesty” That Backfired
Now, let’s bring it home to our Ghanaian offices, because every workplace has a Kwame. Kwame works in Finance. Brilliant guy. Sharp. Always ready to prove a point.
During a major management meeting, just when the Director finished presenting Q4 projections, Kwame raised his hand: “Please, I think these numbers are not realistic. We’re setting ourselves up for failure.”
Valid point, yes.
But guess what?
This was a meeting with external partners present, and Kwame hadn’t discussed his concerns internally first. His line manager shot him a look that could fry kelewele.
The room went silent. Partners raised their eyebrows. The meeting derailed.
Later, Kwame was pulled aside and told, “You’re right… but that was the wrong place, wrong audience, wrong moment.”
Since then, he learned something important: Sometimes being right doesn’t matter if the room is wrong.
Moral of the Story
Speaking up is powerful. Necessary. Important.
But even the truth can cause damage if delivered:
- To the wrong person
- At the wrong time
- In the wrong setting
- With the wrong tone
Before you speak, ask yourself:
- Is this the right moment?
- Is this the right audience?
- Is this the right platform?
- Is this the right emotional state for me?
Because in the end, communication is not just about what you say, it’s about how and when you say it.
What We Can Deduce from This Week’s Office Buzz?
This week’s Office Buzz teaches us a powerful workplace truth: Speaking up is important, but speaking up at the wrong time or to the wrong person can cost you influence, credibility, and even opportunities.
Here’s what we can draw from the examples shared:
1. Being Right Is Not Enough If the Timing Is Wrong
Ronaldo’s concerns at Manchester United were valid, but sharing them at the peak of team tension and in a public interview overshadowed his message.
In the workplace, even the most accurate feedback or observation loses its value if delivered during high tension, in a meeting that isn’t meant for it, or before aligning with your team internally. The truth can be right and still land in the wrong place.
2. Emotional Reactions Can Distort a Good Message
When emotions run high, our communication becomes louder but less strategic.
Kwame’s outburst during the Finance presentation may have come from a place of honesty, but the emotion behind it made the message disruptive rather than helpful. Speaking while frustrated, embarrassed, or defensive often turns communication into confrontation. Great communicators know how to pause, breathe, and choose the right moment.
3. Sensitive Issues Require Private, Not Public Channels
Not every concern needs a public audience.
Raising sensitive issues in front of the wrong crowd, external partners, clients, or senior leaders can derail conversations and embarrass your team.
Just like Mo Salah’s early openness about dissatisfaction created unnecessary speculation, employees can unintentionally create internal tension when they speak too openly before speaking internally. Private conversations can save public reputations.
4. Your Delivery Determines Whether People Listen or Defend
When communication is poorly timed or poorly phrased, people focus on how you spoke rather than what you said. That’s why Kwame’s important point got dismissed; his delivery overshadowed his message. The best communicators choose a calm tone, the right setting, and the right level of detail to ensure their message lands constructively. How you speak determines whether people hear you or resist you.
5. Strategic Communication Protects Your Professional Image
Your reputation at work is built on what you say and how you say it. Knowing when to speak, when to wait, and when to escalate privately is a form of emotional intelligence that leaders value deeply. Professionals who master timing are often seen as thoughtful, mature, and leadership-ready. Speaking wisely builds your brand more than speaking first.
Final Takeaway
This week’s Office Buzz leaves us with a simple but powerful reminder: Communication is not just about honesty; it is about strategy. When you understand timing, audience, and delivery, your voice becomes more credible, more respected, and far more impactful.
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