Creating Brave Work Environments
I always enjoy teaching and leading workshops about SESL. Each experience is different because the participants are- that's part of what makes it interesting and exciting. Recently while facilitating a workshop, things definitely got interesting.
Presenting to a group of leaders in various Jewish organizations, I was sharing the importance of honoring people's emotions in the work space and how this was especially important given the uncertainty and stress people have experienced during the last few years. I had guided the group through an activity on mindfulness and was in the middle of unpacking the experience with the group, when one of the participants offered his perspective. He acknowledged that his staff would find this type of exercise meaningful; in fact, he lamented that they would probably want to engage in it for an extended period of time, which he believed would take time away from the tasks they really should be concentrating on. For him, productivity was his first priority.
I think his comment points to a way of thinking we are seeing in the world today. Many see social-emotional skills as "soft skills" that have no place in the workplace or in school. However, the research clearly indicates that when SEL is integrated into our places of learning and work, achievement and productivity increase. This is not a zero sum game; one does not come at the expense of the other. Quite the contrary. Additionally no one can learn effectively or be productive when emotions are high. Giving space to recognize and articulate these emotions actually mitigates their effect on the individual.
We are also seeing daily examples of disrespectful discourse on display for all to see by our leaders. It has become accepted behavior - but only by those in power. And, it is not an exaggeration to say that teachers, especially early childhood educators- spend time in their classrooms every day insisting on respectful communication between peers and between themselves and their students. SEL also stresses the importance of teaching, prompting and practicing these skills. These become life skills that lead to success both in and out of the classroom.
So, I suppose in some way I shouldn't have been surprised by his comment. But I was. I relied on my own SE skills and paused and took a breath before responding. I validated his comment and said that, yes, we all want the people we work with to do their jobs. However, when we lead in a way that makes each and every person feel seen and heard, there is a more positive work environment, motivation increases, people feel better about the work they are doing, and productivity increases.
What I couldn't help wondering was how would the people who worked at his organization feel if they heard his comment. All I know for sure is that we want our work spaces to be places where people feel safe and brave to talk about things that are important to them. Because they enter our work spaces with their minds, hearts, and souls. Separating these parts of us is not possible. And when leaders honor that, we all win.
Quote and Reflection of the Week:
“Create brave spaces. Your best creative ideas will come from them.”
- Matthew Tsang, AndHumanity
“To build courage in teams and organizations, we have to cultivate a culture in which brave work, tough conversations, and whole hearts are the expectation…..”
- Brene Brown
Take a few moments each day and reflect on the people in your workplace that make you feel safe and brave to be authentically you- which allows you to do your best work!