Leaders and Executives: Learn This Simple 5-Step Model to Create Safety in Your Workplace

Abe Brown, MBA, M.R.Ed, PCC Change is challenging, and I hate to break it to you, but transition is a part of life. This is essential to understand if you’re an organizational leader. Maybe you’re running a non-profit, building a business, or maybe you’re the CEO of a massive corporation. But whatever your role, you can’t make a promise to your team, telling them, “Change will stop from this moment going forward.”?

Of course not; that’s not how the world works. But you can create an environment—a neuroscience-based environment—that will allow your team to adapt and thrive in the face of change. We’ve been working extensively with organizations on change, and the biggest challenge is not the steps or strategy of change; it’s the psychology of our people.?

If people are stressed and anxious, they won’t feel safe and secure. So, in this post, we’ll explore a simple way you can create safety in every relationship. It’s a proven 5-step process created by a neuroscientist by the name of Dr. David Rock. This is the S.C.A.R.F. Model.?

1. Status

If I want to create safety for any person, the first question I need to ask is, “How can I enhance your sense of status?” We live in a low-respect culture. People aren’t taught how to respect one another. My wife was born and raised in the Philippines. As a caucasian man born and raised in Canada, I was amazed at the sheer level of respect people in her culture have for their elders or those more experienced or accomplished than them.

These people don’t feel threatened or intimidated; they don’t try to play the victim card or act as though they’re oppressed. Here in North America, we don’t respect anything. It’s almost like we have a culture of disrespect. The neuroscience is clear in interpersonal relationships: we have to create status and respect for each other.?

2. Certainty

We need to have a sense of certainty in our lives. In fact, certainty is one of our core human needs. Unfortunately, this need is often manipulated in our culture. When you see what politicians do, it looks like their entire job consists of trying to take away people’s sense of certainty. They’re always trying to make us think there’s a threat or problem.?

Uncertainty suffocates safety. When you create a lack of certainty for your team and your environment, you’re not creating the safety they need to feel secure. Therefore, they won’t be as productive as they could be and perform at the optimal they could perform.?

3. Autonomy

People don’t want to be told what to do. Autonomy gives people the freedom to make their own choices. People want to be asked, not told. As a leader and an executive, I invite you to start giving people choices rather than imposing a mandate on them. Why? Because you’re going to increase their sense of safety.?

4. Relatedness

Relatedness is the strength of our connection with each other. It’s impossible to feel safe with someone if you don’t have a strong connection with them. As a boss, I don’t want to get all up in people’s personal lives. Of course not. But you have to have some level of connection so that person can feel safe when they’re around you.?

5. Fairness

People deserve, want, and need to feel like they’re being treated fairly. As a boss, I have the capacity to ensure my team is treated fairly. As a matter of fact, that’s probably one of my main jobs. And it’s important that you consider doing the same thing within your organization. Why? Because it will spill over into your team’s performance.

When people are treated fairly, they feel as if they’re valued and respected. And that’s one of the most effective methods for drawing out the best in your team.

Conclusion

A safe work environment creates the conditions for your team to flourish. And you can create that kind of workplace culture by simply adhering to the S.C.A.R.F. Model. But if you need further assistance, we can help. We at Certified Flourishing Coach use an evidence-based framework to facilitate lasting change in workplaces. So, if you’re to see your organization or non-profit thrive, contact us today to learn more.?

About the Author

Abe Brown, MBA, CMCT, CPHSA is the Coach’s Coach, and is an Entrepreneur, Professional Speaker, International Best-Selling Author, and High-Performance Leadership Coach. He is the founder of Certified Flourishing Coaching??and Flourishing Workplace. Abe is also the author of the Certified Flourishing Coaching? Programs.