Create A Safety Net

Virtually all of my clients, family and friends are feeling some form of adversity, stress or anxiety to varied degrees. Whether it’s business, academics or athletics-the challenges are evident everywhere. Every role feels some forms of negative impacts.

More than ever, now is the time to purposefully create an environment where people feel “psychologically safe”. Psychological safety allows forms of managed risk-taking, speaking freely, creativity enablement, and putting yourself out there without fear of criticism or performance impact. It also enables individuals to emotionally express their concerns about their personal situations regarding their current conditions.

Here are some tips to use in your day to day to create that safety net for your people:

• Check in frequently

• Be present

• Ask how they they are feeling

• Be willing to adapt how you communicate based upon the persons situation. No two situations are identical. Show up differently per individual.

• Just listen. Repeat LISTEN.

• Show empathy and concern

• Show how grateful you are for their work and commitment

• Ask “how an I help”

• Don't sweat the small stuff

Every leader, in their own style, has a responsible to build this into their culture. Start now. Set the example.