Getting to the point where you can take the trainer wheels off or remove that P plate is a proud moment. It feels good and you know too that while you were the one putting in the effort, it was having a great teacher that made all the difference.

Someone to encourage and support you.
Someone who can show you a better way if it’s not going to plan, without judgement.
Someone who will forgive you when you stuff up monumentally.

Are you being encouraged to demonstrate your competency and upskill?

Do you love learning?

Are you a proverbial sponge, always curious to learn more, discover new things and deepen your understanding of how the world works?

What do you need to make that learning experience fun and memorable?

Learning is far more than opening a book to read.
It is an exchange of thoughts, ideas and questions. An exploration that doesn’t necessarily always come up with all the answers.

There is one thing essential for any learning to take place.

It has to be undertaken in a place of safety.

How do Sunday evenings make you feel?

Are you starting to feel that tightness in your chest making it hard for you to breathe?
Are you feeling a bit sick and not sure you can eat your supper?
Are you dreading the fact that it’s Monday again? Again.

Psychological safety has become a buzz word which is great because there is a growing awareness of just how important it is in every workplace.
But many are still not entirely sure what it means and sometimes feel threatened by this weird sounding concept.

Do you?

Every day brings risks and opportunity. From crossing the road in heavy rush hour traffic, to talking to your boss about your idea to make meetings more effective, to introducing yourself to that person you see as inspiring, to ask if they will be your mentor.

What makes the difference is acknowledging the discomfort and accepting this to grow personally and professionally AND knowing that you have the full support of your superiors and colleagues.

It was Dr. Amy Edmondson who defined psychological safety as

“a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking.”

Are you safe at work?

How often do you hear of whistle-blowers ending up being the one who loses their job, bad mouthed in public while the perpetrator gets off scot-free, with no repercussion for their bad behaviour, or even gets a promotion? How many whistle-blowers are being asked to sign non-disclosure agreements because the company doesn’t want a stain on its reputation and would rather brush the highlighted issue under the carpet?

It reveals a disappointing lack of respect for our fellow humans.

How does vulnerability make you feel?

Is it something you shy away from?
Do you see it as a weakness?
Do you believe vulnerability is best kept behind closed doors?

While being vulnerable can be unpleasant sometimes, it is also an invaluable gift.

It reveals you as the human you are. Flawed, imperfect and capable of stuffing things up big time, just like everyone else.
It’s a gift because it helps others know that they are not alone, in how they feel and that despite the pain or suffering, you can recover and learn from the experience.