Psychological Safety, Two Ways
Psychological safety is very important but figuring out how to create it can feel like a big and confusing topic. This blog post offers an explanation and comparison of two frameworks for assessing and measuring psychological safety in the workplace to help you figure out the best approach for your context.
This is Your Brain on Work Relationships
People need a sense of belonging and purpose, and we thrive through connection and mutual trust, but our workplaces are not set up to encourage trust-based relationships. We can change those workplace structures and cultures by integrating greater practices of trust into our work.
High Conflict vs. Generative Conflict
Conflict does not have to be as bad as it often feels. Conflict is a source of energy for change, and it always has the potential to lead to new possibilities and deeper relationships. But for this to happen, we need to build the skills and determination to avoid the lure of high conflict whenever possible.
This is what is meant by the idea of generative conflict.
Why We Gossip About People at Work
Leaders often try to get people to stop gossiping without a deeper understanding of what is driving the behaviour. Is there conflict that needs to be addressed? Are there systemic issues that people are upset about? Getting people to stop the behaviour is very hard if we are not addressing the root cause.
Leading in High Pressure and in High Risk
Fear is a powerful emotion. It can change our judgement and decisions to be less aligned with our values and priorities. When leaders face pressure to make a decision, it’s important to find ways to get aligned with their purpose and the people they are responsible to.
How to Be A Workplace Where People Learn and Grow
When an organization creates enough psychological safety to encourage learning, people are more likely to experiment, take risks, make mistakes they can learn from, and as a result, come up with innovative and unexpected solutions to complex problems.
Nine Tips for Giving Good Feedback in the Workplace
Feedback is very important. It is the way we learn, grow and become the people we want to be. Regular and supportive feedback helps people shift out of fear and experience it as an opportunity. You can create a workplace culture where feedback is welcomed, expected and part of the norm.
On Polarity: The Complexity of No Right Answer
A polarity in conflict is a disagreement that is fundamentally unsolvable, because there is no clear right or wrong answer. A polarity becomes a conflict because people care deeply about the outcome, and their underlying ideas, values and beliefs pull them strongly to one side or the other.
How To Be A More Trauma Informed Workplace
Trauma is very common in the workplace, and many workplace cultures make it worse or even create it. Learn tangible steps for building a trauma informed workplace culture that supports people’s safety, belonging and dignity.
Why We Avoid Conflict in the Workplace
Conflict is unavoidable. It is a natural part of human interaction. When we try to avoid it, we usually make it worse. The best thing you can do to improve your team dynamic is develop your own capacity to engage in conflict, and support others to do the same.