Day 28: Building Safety Leadership Through Neuroception
Be Better Engineering Leader, a 30 Days Series
This is the sixth week of a series of daily lessons on how to Be a Better Engineering Leader. I recommend spending up to an hour on each lesson to gain insights into Product, Technology, and People—areas critical for every Engineering Manager.
Today’s Focus: Safety Leadership & Neuroception
Creating a sense of safety within your team isn’t just about ensuring physical safety; it’s about nurturing an environment where people feel secure, understood, and supported. This state of safety, known as neuroception, is your team’s subconscious radar, constantly assessing safety through internal, interpersonal, and environmental cues.
Your role as a leader is to provide as many safety cues as possible to support your team’s well-being and productivity. Here’s how you can practically apply this:
Six Strategies to Enhance Safety in Your Team
Clarity
Lack of clarity disrupts trust and creates anxiety. Clearly communicate job responsibilities, salary expectations, benefits, and promotion criteria.Action Point: Schedule a 1:1 meeting with each team member to address any ambiguities in their role, career progression, or workplace expectations.
Predictability
Unpredictable behavior from leaders can create a sense of threat. Consistency in your demeanor and communication builds trust.Action Point: Reflect on your interactions over the past month. Identify any instances of unpredictable behavior. Commit to maintaining a steady and transparent approach and communicate this to your team.
Belonging
People need to feel they belong to a team. Recognize and value contributions that foster a sense of community.Action Point: Identify a team member who naturally builds connections and facilitates a positive atmosphere. Acknowledge their efforts publicly and encourage others to share similar initiatives.
Flexibility and Sensitivity
Support team members through personal challenges without making them feel judged. This shows your unconditional support and reinforces their sense of safety.Action Point: Offer flexible working hours or additional support to a team member going through a personal hardship. Make sure they know that your support is unconditional and focused on their well-being.
Co-regulation
Encourage mutual support within the team. A leader’s calm demeanor can regulate the team’s emotional state.Action Point: Implement a short daily or weekly check-in ritual where team members can share their current state—whether it's a challenge they’re facing or a recent success—without fear of judgment.
Sensory-Friendly Environment
A workspace filled with distractions hampers productivity. Strive to create an environment conducive to deep work.Action Point: Identify a common distraction in your team’s workspace (e.g., noise, interruptions) and take concrete steps to minimize it, like setting up quiet hours or a designated focus zone.
Extra Resources
Premium Article: Safety Leadership and Neuroception
A detailed exploration of how to foster a neuroception of safety within your team, based on the Polyvagal Theory.PDF Cheat Sheet: Safety Leadership
A quick reference guide summarizing the strategies discussed.Blog Post: Different Styles of Engineering Leadership
Explore various leadership styles and find the one that best fits your team’s needs.
By focusing on these practical strategies, you can cultivate a safer and more productive environment for your team. Take a few minutes today to plan and act on these points.
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