Summary
Without a culture of safety, people literally can't think. We can't collaborate, create, or innovate. That is because as human beings, we are biologically hardwired to belong to a tribe that can protect us from outside threats. Unfortunately, most of us don’t feel a sense of safety in our work tribes. When our work relationships don’t feel safe, we armor up and spend precious energy protecting ourselves from each other instead of learning, collaborating, and well just … working. In this workshop, DesignOps professionals will get practical tools to build and scale the safety of their teams.
Key Insights
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Without safety, cognitive function declines significantly.
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The brain prioritizes survival, affecting how we process information.
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Organizational safety has direct implications on innovation and success.
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Physical safety must be addressed before emotional and psychological safety can be established.
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Regular team check-ins can enhance emotional safety and open communication.
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Mistakes should be celebrated to foster a culture of learning and innovation.
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Safety is built through relationships and trust within teams.
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Leaders must model vulnerability to encourage openness in their teams.
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Anonymity in feedback can help individuals express genuine feelings safely.
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Engaging in structured activities can significantly improve team dynamics.
Notable Quotes
"I learned that without safety, I certainly... can't think."
"Our brains are still wired for survival."
"When we don't feel safe, our operating IQ drops drastically."
"The primitive part of our brain doesn't distinguish between a tiger and an angry email."
"Safety is created in relationship; it's about how we interact with one another."
"Trust is created between two people, while safety is a group endeavor."
"Regular meetings can be the best lever to build safety within a team."
"It's important to discuss boundaries to create an inclusive work environment."
"The more we suppress how we're feeling, the less able we are to think and innovate."
"Building safety is a journey, not a destination."
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