In one aspect, a grounding device for an electric machine having a rotatable shaft is provided. The grounding device includes a wire core having a first end and a second end, and a plurality of conductive fibers coupled to the wire core and extending therefrom. The wire core is configured to couple to the electric machine with at least a portion of the plurality of conductive fibers contacting the shaft such that an electrostatic charge on the shaft is directed through the grounding device to ground.