“You’re on mute” is annoying. Silence on the job site? Deadly.

Why vertical communication matters more than you think — especially in mining and construction.

We all hear it on video calls: “You’re on mute!” A communication glitch. Harmless enough — until it’s not.

In mining, construction, and industrial operations, when vertical communication breaks down — when concerns raised from the field never make it to leadership — the consequences can be tragic.

One mining company learned this the hard way. Field engineers repeatedly flagged concerns about a slope’s stability. Their reports moved up… and stalled. Decision-makers never received the full picture. Days later, a catastrophic slope failure caused equipment loss and endangered lives.

The root cause? Not the rock. Not the rain. A failure in communication.

As leaders, we must build cultures where it’s safe to speak up — and where information flows fast and clear through every level.

Because the cost of silence? Far higher than any operational delay.

#Leadership #Mining #Construction #Manufacturing #HR