Summary
Without a culture of safety, people literally can't think. We can't collaborate, create, or innovate. That is because as human beings, we are biologically hardwired to belong to a tribe that can protect us from outside threats. Unfortunately, most of us don’t feel a sense of safety in our work tribes. When our work relationships don’t feel safe, we armor up and spend precious energy protecting ourselves from each other instead of learning, collaborating, and well just … working. In this workshop, DesignOps professionals will get practical tools to build and scale the safety of their teams.
Key Insights
-
•
Without safety, cognitive function declines significantly.
-
•
The brain prioritizes survival, affecting how we process information.
-
•
Organizational safety has direct implications on innovation and success.
-
•
Physical safety must be addressed before emotional and psychological safety can be established.
-
•
Regular team check-ins can enhance emotional safety and open communication.
-
•
Mistakes should be celebrated to foster a culture of learning and innovation.
-
•
Safety is built through relationships and trust within teams.
-
•
Leaders must model vulnerability to encourage openness in their teams.
-
•
Anonymity in feedback can help individuals express genuine feelings safely.
-
•
Engaging in structured activities can significantly improve team dynamics.
Notable Quotes
"I learned that without safety, I certainly... can't think."
"Our brains are still wired for survival."
"When we don't feel safe, our operating IQ drops drastically."
"The primitive part of our brain doesn't distinguish between a tiger and an angry email."
"Safety is created in relationship; it's about how we interact with one another."
"Trust is created between two people, while safety is a group endeavor."
"Regular meetings can be the best lever to build safety within a team."
"It's important to discuss boundaries to create an inclusive work environment."
"The more we suppress how we're feeling, the less able we are to think and innovate."
"Building safety is a journey, not a destination."
More Videos
"Accessibility research is part of overall user research."
Kate KalcevichIntegrating Accessibility in DesignOps
September 23, 2024
"Systems mapping can help clarify the interconnected relationships within complex issues."
Sheryl CababaExpanding Your Design Lens with Systems Thinking
February 23, 2023
"They allow us to ask fresh questions of past work, turning research into a living evolving resource instead of a static deliverable."
Katie HansenFinding the unknown in the known: Harnessing meta-analysis and literature review
March 12, 2025
"I had no white space in my life."
Tutti TaygerlyMake Space to Lead
June 12, 2021
"We wanted to design a community that would be missed if it were gone."
Marc Fonteijn Ru ButlerIncrease your confidence, influence, and impact (through a Professional Community)
December 3, 2024
"I found myself having to prove myself for advancement."
Lisanne NormanWhy I Left Research
March 27, 2023
"Equip stakeholders with a diverse toolbox of methodologies, not just interviews."
Jemma Ahmed Steve Carrod Chris Geison Dr. Shadi Janansefat Christopher NashDemocratization: Working with it, not against it [Advancing Research Community Workshop Series]
July 24, 2024
"We’re looking at them by their interior cognition, their inner thinking, their emotional reactions."
Indi YoungThinking styles: Mend hidden cracks in your market
January 8, 2025
"The user experience program allows customers to influence the products they use every day."
Tracy McGoldrickIBM User Experience Program—The What, Why and How
October 15, 2021
