A client of mine recently shared how that insight changed how he was interacting with his team and his company.
Are there things on your team that are “issues that shall not be named?” Is there a team member whose abrasive style is the elephant in the room?
Because of COVID-19, people feel less safe than ever. They are wondering when they will be able to leave the house, wondering if their job is on the line, wondering if the coughing neighbor they saw on a walk has “it.”
So any topic that feels tough in “normal” times is going to feel especially tough right now.
How can you help your team to feel more safe? How can you come from a more open place?
Smile. Be self-effacing. Slow down. Connect. Do anything you can to help people understand that you care.
Many of us spent the first few days of this crisis making sure our people were physically safe. But they need to feel emotionally safe, too.
It can take some time for people to feel safe, especially if they haven’t before. But persist. Some of the best ideas show up because someone finally feels safe sharing them.
And if you need a safe conversation, reach out to me. You might be surprised what shows up.