Hello and welcome to all you career adventurers and enthusiasts.

This month, we’re talking all about workplace culture.

We're peeling back the layers to discover how it impacts us as individuals, as teams, and as organizations. We’re diving deep into the subject of workplace culture, tackling safety in the work environment, strategies for fostering well-being, and the impact of positive team culture on career growth.

A bit of everything to guide you on your career journey, really.

Before we continue, I'd love to hear from you:

Have any great career frameworks, tactics, or insights you want to share? Feel free to reply to this email and send them along. We're always looking for the best ideas to help our readers thrive in their careers.

Let's dive in…

Navigating Change in the Modern Workplace with a Culture of Safety

When you log into your work, does a sense of dread wash over you? Is your voice filled with ideas and concerns?

You're not alone.

The current state of workplace culture leaves many employees feeling unsupported, unheard, and unsafe.

It's a silent signal - our workplace culture needs a revolution.

Change is a heartbeat in today's fast-paced business world. But often, companies chase growth or shrink down, forgetting about the people powering these changes. As professionals, you might feel more like pawns in a larger game than valued contributors.

The result? A workplace culture that prioritizes strategy over safety, and leaves employees feeling unseen, unheard, and insecure.

The Importance of Safety

But what if there's a better way?

Enter Alla Weinberg, a consultant who specializes in organizational cultures and team dynamics. She suggests that safety—physical, emotional, and psychological—is the cornerstone of a healthy and productive work environment. "Safety is the foundation of all collaboration," Weinberg says. "Without safety, our brains are too busy protecting us from threats to focus on complex tasks, creative thinking, or innovation."

Safety is the soil in which collaboration grows.

It's about recognizing that people, with their diverse experiences and perspectives, are at the heart of any organizational change. When we feel safe, we're more likely to share innovative ideas, take calculated risks, and contribute to the organization's growth.

Safety and Remote Work

In a remote work setup, safety is about more than locking your doors or the security of your system.

Physical safety might mean the absence of microaggresions and disrespect. Emotional safety might be about feeling able to express frustration over a difficult task. And psychological safety might be about daring to share a new idea during a virtual brainstorming session.

Physical, Emotional, and Psychological Safety

Weinberg breaks down safety into three key aspects: physical, emotional, and psychological.

Physical Safety

Physical safety is about ensuring a comfortable and secure physical environment.

"Start your virtual meetings with a body scan," Weinberg suggests. "This not only helps participants feel physically comfortable but also sets a tone of care and attention."

Emotional Safety

Emotional safety refers to feeling safe to express any emotion without fear of being judged or rejected.

"Emotions are data," Weinberg notes. "They give us important information about our needs and boundaries." By acknowledging and validating our emotions and those of our colleagues, we foster a culture where people are seen and heard.

Psychological Safety

Psychological safety is about feeling safe to take risks, make mistakes, and ask questions without fear of punishment or embarrassment.

As Weinberg puts it, "Psychological safety is the belief that you won't be punished for making a mistake. It's about creating an environment where people feel like they can be their full, authentic selves."

Everyone's Role in Creating Safety

Creating a culture of safety isn't a job for the HR department—it's everyone's gig.

Whether you're an employee, a manager, or a director, you can contribute to a safer work environment. How? By embodying the behavior you want to see, providing space for individuals to express their feelings and concerns freely, and encouraging open communication.

The Employee's Role

As an employee, your voice matters. Speaking up about your needs, listening to your colleagues with empathy, and respecting others' boundaries can make a world of difference.

• Example: If you're feeling overwhelmed with work, speak up about it to your manager. Don't wait for the burnout to hit before addressing it.

• Example: When a colleague shares a difficulty they're facing, listen without interrupting or trying to fix the problem right away. Sometimes, being heard is half the battle.

The Manager's Role

As a manager, you can create safety by encouraging open communication, acknowledging emotions, and appreciating efforts.

• Example: Create a regular check-in routine with your team members. Talk about work, sure, but also about how they're doing emotionally.

• Example: If a team member makes a mistake, instead of reprimanding them, appreciate their effort and turn it into a learning opportunity.

The Director's Role

As a director, you're steering the ship. You have the power to drive the culture of safety at a larger scale. This might involve implementing organization-wide policies or providing resources for employees and managers to create safety in their respective roles.

• Example: Implement a policy that encourages employees to take regular breaks. It's about preventing burnout before it begins.

• Example: Provide training for managers on how to create a safe and inclusive environment for their teams.

Weinberg emphasizes that change starts close in—with your team and your peers. You have the power to influence the culture within your immediate sphere. By promoting safety within your team, you can create ripples that transform the entire organization.

Keep reading→ 

I hope you enjoyed the articles and insights from this issue of Blueprint.

If there's anything you'd like to share or discuss, just hit reply. I read every email :)

Kasra Khalili - Editor, Blueprint