In this expert session, Roy explores the impact of uncertainty on both individuals and organizations from a psychological perspective. He discusses how uncertain situations trigger a hypervigilant response from our nervous system due to feelings of unsafe, which in turn affects our mental and physical health. Utilizing the concept of a "performance pyramid," Roy illustrated that feeling safe physically and psychologically is vital for optimal performance.
Furthermore, Roy explained how our brains try to create binaries when faced with uncertainty, potentially leading to simplistic or extreme views. He underscored the importance of understanding these dynamics in order to work effectively and maintain good mental and physical health within a team or organization.
Roy provided several suggestions for fostering a sense of belonging and psychological safety in the workplace: co-designing shared feelings, creating rituals of connection, using regulated language, addressing ruptures quickly, and practicing embodied leadership.
Roy continues to explain that in a distributed team setting, building trust and psychological safety becomes more challenging due to physical distance. However, it is still achievable through deliberate efforts in communication, addressing power imbalances, and fostering open dialogue around accountability, safety, vulnerability, and psychological safety. By creating spaces for these discussions, organizations can enable team members to feel safe enough to express their concerns and vulnerabilities, ultimately leading to a more engaged and productive work environment.
Overall, the expert session provided valuable insights into dealing with stress, addressing mistakes, responding to emotions, and fostering a sense of belonging in uncertain times. The importance of communication, understanding power dynamics, and creating a deliberate space for addressing these issues emerged as key takeaways for building a more inclusive and effective work environment.
