Creating Safe Spaces

Have you ever been bullied or targeted in a way that made you feel uneasy? Do you have strategies to cope with it, or do you simply endure it?

Bullying can happen at any stage of life, making it crucial to recognize and address it effectively.

When my sister, a high school student, raised a concern about a teacher, the teacher took offense and vented her frustration in my 5th-grade class. She called me to the front and spent an hour discussing the issue, even speaking negatively about my sister.

Humiliated and in tears before 40 classmates, I went straight to the principal. Without needing an explanation, he understood the situation, warned the teacher, and reassigned her to another class. Until I left school, he ensured she never taught me again. I remain grateful for his genuine support in upholding psychological safety.

A few months ago, my son told me about a classmate who was bullying him at school. He struggled to focus in class. We reported the issue to the educational supervisor, but the situation didn’t improve quickly.

One day, he came to me excitedly and shared that he had formed the 'Besties Power Gang' with three other boys. Their goal was to stand together, show their strength in friendship, and make the bully think twice before targeting any of them-in fact, to intimidate him enough to stay away.

Curious about his new friends, I took the time to understand their nature and found them to be disciplined and well-mannered. I felt proud of my son for coming up with his own strategy to handle the situation with the power of friendship.

The need for psychological safety extends beyond childhood. During my career, I once attended a meeting led by someone known for targeting and ridiculing others. Aware of his behaviour, I maintained a confident body language that subtly conveyed, ‘Don’t mess with me.’

The meeting had about 10-15 attendees. At one point, this person picked on a colleague, mocking his comments. As he laughed, the rest of the room followed suit. I noticed how the targeted individual became visibly upset and nervous, struggling to defend his points. Such incidents can deeply affect a person's confidence, especially when they are humiliated in a public setting.

To handle intimidating individuals or bullies effectively, consider the following strategies:

• Project confidence through body language – Maintain a strong and assertive presence, signalling that you will not tolerate disrespect or bullying.
• Address the issue directly – If you feel targeted, have a one-on-one conversation with the individual and firmly ask them to stop.
• Seek guidance and support – Confide in a mentor or trusted friend for advice on handling the situation effectively.
• Be mindful of your reactions – Before laughing at a bully’s remarks, consider how the targeted person might feel. Even indirect support can keep bullying going. Show empathy instead.

Psychological safety isn’t just about preventing bullying-it’s about fostering an environment where individuals feel respected, heard, and valued. Whether as parents, educators, or leaders, we have a responsibility to create spaces where people feel safe to express themselves without fear of ridicule.

By standing up against bullying and fostering psychological safety, we not only protect individuals but also empower them to grow with confidence and resilience.