Last week I presented a live Zoom masterclass about psychological safety with a room full of incredible healthcare professionals across Victoria, and I wanted to share with you some takeaways.​​​​​​​​​
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In my experience working with leaders, business owners and professionals, the most common challenge we all face is having uncomfortable conversations. Sometimes it’s because we don’t have the language to express ourselves, sometimes conversations are not welcome, sometimes it’s because we haven’t seen it role-modelled or had a positive experience, sometimes our emotions take over and sometimes it’s because the perceived or real risk to do so is too great.
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Normalise, normalise, normalise being an awkward human.

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As leaders of our lives and our work, we could all benefit from normalising the awkwardness of being human. This starts with awareness and language to express ourselves and enquire about others. Because we all make mistakes, don’t know things, feel hard emotions, struggle, fail and have self-doubt.

Things to normalise saying​
I don’t know.
I don’t understand.
I need help.
I made a mistake.
I’m sorry.
I have a different point of view.
I have an idea.
I’d like some feedback.
Things aren’t going to plan.
No.

Things to normalise asking​
What’s on your mind?
What can I help you with?
What are you up against?
What are your concerns?
What does support look like?
What are you seeing that I’m not?
What else?
Tell me more.

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The quality of our relationships is defined by the quality of our conversations. When it’s safe to express the awkward vulnerability of being human, we build a better, more courageous, caring and connected world.

How do you normalise being an awkward human?