The Art of Brilliance team is lucky. We get to visit all sorts of different workplaces – the good, the bad, the ugly and, just occasionally, the absolutely stunningly amazing!
So what is it about the stand-out jaw-dropping teams we drop in on? What have they got in common? The ONE thing?
For me, it boils down to Psychological Safety. Now, before your eyes glaze over, let me explain in words that I understand. I call it workplace CBT: Connection, Belonging and Trust.
Connection: Psychological safety begins with creating a strong sense of connection. A connected team is one that communicates openly, shares ideas without fear of judgement and collaborates seamlessly. When people feel connected to their teammates, they are more likely to contribute their unique perspectives and strengths, creating an environment where ideas and solutions flow.
Belonging: A true sense of belonging is subtle. It’s when teams have moved beyond tolerating differences towards making those differences work for the team. Belonging is the sense of being an integral part of a team where everyone feels their contribution is valued. Moreover, they have a sense that what they do adds value to the team. This sense of belonging and feeling that they ‘matter’ means they’re more likely to take calculated risks, share innovative ideas and feel safe to engage in constructive conflict.
Trust: Trust is the glue that holds all high-performing teams together. Without it, people are scared to express their thoughts, share feedback or take risks. Building trust requires consistency, transparency, reliability and a feeling that people can be vulnerable, and it won’t come back to bite them. When people trust one another and their leaders, they are more likely to speak up and be open, honest and show a willingness to collaborate.
If teams get these three CBT ingredients right, it shows. It really shows. Not just in what we see and hear, but in the way people feel. There’s an energy about the place. A buzz. If you’ve ever been lucky enough to work in a team that’s created a culture of Psychological Safety, you’ll know what I mean when I say that work doesn’t feel like ‘work’.
As I said at the outset, we’re lucky that we sometimes stumble upon teams who are already rocking and rolling. For those that aren’t there yet, we provide a leg up. Our new Psychological Safety in-person event and workshop helps co-create a jaw-dropping team environment. It’s the key to EVERYTHING!