I often tell people that speaking up for what you believe in is important.  I also tell them that speaking up doesn't mean telling people off, fighting the system or causing problems.  Speaking up means to get the tools that make your job easier, and cutting through the red tape that hinders progress.

Speaking up is telling people what you need to do your job effectively and to the best of your ability.  If you do not have the tools to do your job then ask for them.  The number 1 complaint I hear  from students regarding their work environment is not having the tools to do the job they have been asked to do and do well.  We are all held accountable to metrics of some sort that are set by those not doing the work.  For example, one day I was trying to do invoices but didn't have all the information to do the job.  When I contacted the sales person I was told he was working on it.  His boss told me that invoicing must be created that day regardless.  I could not do my job but the boss didn't care.

How do you fix it without upsetting someone or putting yourself in a bad position?  Ask for what you need.  Finally after several calls, emails and a lot of complaining I did what was necessary.  I contacted the customer, got the invoicing information necessary, and submitted the billing.  I had to speak up and get what I needed.  I had to take the initiative because circumstances were hindering me from doing my job.  All future issues were solved with speaking up front with sales and the customer about invoicing information.  Probelm solved by asking for what I needed and not waiting for others to do their job.

I tell you this so that you can whisper the following mantra to yourself when barriers get in your way: "Speak up, get out, or shut up and quit whinning"  these are the only 3 options you have when barriers keep you from working at peak performance.