S3E11 Grit & Growth | Creating a Culture of Healthy Debate

TL;DR

Creating psychological safety in a healthcare organization is crucial for fostering open and honest debate, empowering employees to speak up, and making better decisions.

Transcript

[MUSIC] There's lots of uncertainty. And what was important was that we needed to create some space for people to slow down and get to that place where they could make decisions coherently. >> How do you build a team that tells you the truth, and not just what they think you want to hear? >> Just creating that opportunity to talk, that was what psy... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤗 Psychological safety, characterized by a climate where individuals feel comfortable sharing ideas, concerns, and making mistakes, is crucial in fostering open and honest debate in teams.
• 🥺 Diversity of ideas and experiences within a team enhances performance, but it only leads to better outcomes when combined with psychological safety.
• 😨 Leaders need to create environments where individuals feel safe to speak up, challenge ideas, and make mistakes without fear of judgment.
• 😷 Active listening, asking meaningful questions, and being curious fosters psychological safety and encourages individuals to share their thoughts and concerns.
• ♻️ Leaders should model vulnerability, admit mistakes, and demonstrate humility, which creates an environment of trust and authenticity.
• 🥺 Psychological safety leads to higher employee morale, reduced burnout, increased motivation, and better decision-making within an organization.
• 😤 Creating psychological safety requires intentionality and establishing norms for respectful and inclusive communication among team members.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Elikem's team handle the decision of private sector involvement in COVID testing?

Elikem and his team had tough conversations and weighed the risks and benefits. Ultimately, they decided to engage and become the first private organization to offer COVID testing, considering their commitment to meeting people's healthcare needs.

Q: How did Elikem balance personal and professional communication regarding his COVID diagnosis?

Elikem had a discussion with his executive team, some of whom were concerned about potential negative impacts on the company's reputation. Ultimately, Elikem made the decision to publicly share his diagnosis, turning it into a public health message to destigmatize COVID and promote testing.

Q: How did Elikem foster psychological safety among his team during the pandemic?

Elikem created spaces for open conversations and debrief sessions, allowing team members to express their emotions and fears. He focused on empathy, slowed down decision-making processes, and emphasized that everyone was going through the challenges together.

Q: How did Elikem motivate his employees to take voluntary pay cuts during a revenue drop?

Elikem aligned the team by sharing the financial situation openly, ensuring that employees understood the challenges. Around 90% of the employees voluntarily took pay cuts, demonstrating their commitment to the organization's mission and being part of the solution.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Elikem Tamaklo, Managing Director of Nyaho Healthcare Ltd, shares his experiences and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

• Psychological safety was instrumental in helping Elikem and his team navigate tough decisions, including private sector involvement in COVID testing and disclosing his own COVID diagnosis.

• Establishing a culture of psychological safety requires active listening, creating space for dialogue, modeling vulnerability, and admitting mistakes.

• Teams with psychological safety experience higher morale, reduced burnout, increased motivation, and better decision-making.

• Elikem focused on creating psychological safety within his organization through open communication, providing mental health support, and empowering employees to engage in decision-making.