The information in this article is general in nature and does not constitute legal advice.
Leaders play a critical role in the cultivation of fostering respectful and safe work settings by leading in a manner that models and promotes respect and safety. When leaders demonstrate that they care about respect and safety, others care.
Core leadership capabilities for modelling respect and fostering a speak-up culture include:
- Empathy: the active consideration of others’ experiences and emotions
- Cognisance of bias: monitoring one’s interactions and decision-making for bias and acting with a conscious intent to be inclusive
- Micro-affirmations: the mindful practice of verbal and non-verbal behaviours that foster respect and safety
- Upstander and allyship: calling out inappropriate comments and behaviours and holding inappropriate conduct to account
- Emotional regulation: being aware of their emotional triggers, how they respond to bad news, the impact of that response on others, and choosing a more productive response, if required
- Seeking and giving feedback effectively: reducing power distance and increasing awareness of blind spots and biases through establishing a mutually open and constructive feedback loop
- Effective conflict resolution: resolving conflict quickly in a manner that promotes mutual respect and trust
- Diversity and inclusion: valuing diversity, actively dismantling barriers to representation and participation, and building diverse teams
- Trauma-informed responding: receiving and managing concerns and disclosures in a manner that supports the reporter and does no further harm
Effective development of those skills requires formal training, commitment, practice, and reflection.
Culture Plus Consulting can support you in meeting your positive duty through workplace culture reviews, risk assessment, and learning and development. Email info@cultureplusconsulting.com for details.
Additional Resources:
- Why employers need to step up: https://lnkd.in/gkNg_46R
- A checklist for Boards: https://lnkd.in/gP8TMBzX
- Leadership considerations: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/meeting-positive-duty-prevent-sexual-harassment-felicity-menzies-fca-qyt2c/?trackingId=ooqu6DkkT6qj%2BYecQubQsw%3D%3D
- Managing risks: https://lnkd.in/gKSpxQu5
- Identifying risks: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/preventing-sexual-harassment-identifying-risk-factors-menzies-fca-qizrc/?trackingId=Mk6qPqJxSaOyo2DBU9fJWg%3D%3D
- Evidence-based training: https://lnkd.in/gUN8cwTd and https://lnkd.in/gFB7CvDe
- Trauma-informed grievance processes: https://lnkd.in/gP5Z5pcc
- Fostering a culture of respect & safety: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/respect-work-fostering-culture-safety-felicity-menzies-4vwcc/?trackingId=n95tw8KbS%2FKnld5Z%2Bk%2BPoA%3D%3D