The Modern Leadership Issue - 35

Storytelling within safe spaces
Caring relationships
One way to prioritize the creation of safe environments within
the workplace is through your relationships. By prioritizing social
well-being, leaders can foster a culture of inclusivity and support
through community-as well as positively impact mental health
through connection.
* Be explicit that it's OK to have fun at work. (AKA know who
on the team is the in-house DJ!)
* Establish a collective agreement on recurring social time for
the team to connect outside work projects or meetings. Be
clear on the purpose of this time and honor the
commitment; model what you want to see, and the team
will follow your lead.
* Connect with employee resource group (ERG) leaders to
hear the needs and wants of marginalized identities; then,
explore findings with your team to identify changes to
current ways of working.
* Encourage teams to solicit different perspectives to get
curious and practice lifelong learning (and unlearning);
create space for them to connect with experts, ERG
speakers, local non-profits, and vendors.
about the author
Victoria Rodgers is an IDEA Strategy Consultant & Coach
for CenteredSoul Consulting and serves as an Affiliate
Contractor for TiER1 Performance. Victoria focuses on the
integration of inclusivity, diversity, equity, and accessibility
across the employee experience and ways of working to
improve decision making and foster inclusive environments.
She believes brave conversations, coaching, and development
of more conscious leaders will change the world.
As a leader, your team expects you to understand what is happening at work. By creating a safe and brave
space for open dialogue to humanize individual experiences, leaders can foster greater empathy and
understanding among team members. Doing this requires leaders to model bravery, curiosity, compassion,
and to actively listen to employees.
* Discuss with your team what you are learning and unlearning, then uncover their perspective too.
* Talk about mental health and challenges (such as burnout for caregivers, social anxiety, stress).
Starting the conversation can help employees feel less alone or anxious. Talk about mental health
even when there isn't a crisis.
* Foster open dialogue among team members about what they like and don't like about their position as
it aligns with their strengths. (Bonus points for this practice also supporting their career well-being.)
By creating a sense of belonging within organizations through recognizing diversity and
prioritizing employee well-being, leaders can foster a positive work environment that
promotes inclusivity and increases engagement and productivity-while also breathing
equity into the system and creating accessible environments for all to thrive.
PERFORMANCE MATTERS / PG 35

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoriarodgers/

The Modern Leadership Issue

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of The Modern Leadership Issue