4 Tips for Fostering Emotional Safety at Work
💜Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP®
Workplace Culture & Employee Turnover | Leadership Development | Self-Leadership Keynote Speaker | 2x TEDx International Female Keynote Speaker | Author, The Art of Active Listening and The Art of Caring Leadership
The other day, I decided to take advantage of the gorgeous fall weather and take a walk outside to clear my head. I happened to be looking up at the colorful trees when I noticed several bird nests peppered among the branches, with birds sporadically flying to and from them.
Seeing that ecosystem humming with activity made me realize how the trees provide such warmth and safety for the birds in the face of the upcoming winter.
In turn, that made me think about what we as humans are looking for when we sign on to be an employee at an organization.
Each of us wants safety, security, and a certain level of warmth—warmth from leaders, peers and co-workers, institutional processes and the general experience.
Today, during a time of widespread division, creating safe spaces of emotional warmth for those we lead has never been more critical for an organization’s success.
So how do organizations create this sense of safety for employees to flourish and grow?
I offer 4 tips from my new book coming out this Spring in my latest blog post.
Speak Truth to Power
4yIt's like I always say: if you want ideas for articles? Go outside. Those birds need to stay away from my windshield if you catch my drift. One day after getting the car washed? It's just nature- they didn't know.
Executive Coach and Consultant | Helping Senior Leaders Create High Performing Organizations Through Intentional Culture And Positive Employee Engagement
4yHeather R. Younger, I agree with the intent and the need to create more 'human' work environments. I also believe that task should not fall solely on the organization or manager. The path to the culture you propose, from my opinion, is to create less judgement in people. It is often the conscious, and unconscious, judging we do that gets in the way of having that warm environment you talk about.