useletter, making your safe space

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I pay my respects and acknowledge all Traditional Custodians of Country and on whose land I live and work. I recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and culture. I pay my respects to their Elders past and present.

Hi reader

I hope you're well and if you're stuck at home in lock down you're able to maintain your self care, perhaps making time for dadirri from the previous useletter.

All this time at home has me thinking about safe spaces and in particular safe spaces at work and spaces to share. I'm not talking about physical spaces, but psychological spaces. Safe spaces that exist between people even when physically separated.

Psychological safety is a space in which people can openly share. A space where interpersonal risks feel doable - like speaking up with problems (personal and work related), questions, concerns, half-baked ideas and even mistakes. A space where people can speak up and also seek help. I recently heard about the psychologically safe space that Buckminster Fuller created in his workplace, I thought I'd share.

I got you

Michael

bucky's safe space

Buckminster Fuller needs no introduction (use the link if you need it). He worked pretty much up until his death at 87. Even in his later years when he was renowned, famous even, he maintained a humility in his work. He always took the time to listen intently to his employees, to their ideas, always gave credit where due and was relentlessly appreciative of the hard work everyone put in. Furthermore he encouraged everyone to share their ideas, listening intently even when less than perfect.

Bucky's studio was psychologically safe, creating an environment where everyone could share with candour. They could speak up with any concerns or ideas and without fear of criticism or repercussion. I trust that you can appreciate the value here to the workplace, whether it's in creating an inclusive space or a space where all ideas are valued and considered equally or a space where everyone is respected and valued.

Building these safe spaces is not easy, there is always a complex interplay between varied personalities. You can't expect to build them in one go, instead you'll need to do so in small steps and learning from mistakes. It requires the dedication, time and effort and the recognition that it's a practice requiring practise. Slowly building safety and trust through good habits and self-reflection.

I'll leave you with a question reader,

In this time and in the future, how might you build a safe psychological space for yourself and in the way you interact with yourself?

You got this.