Comments on: Is it safe?

By: Evan

Evan — Mon, 25 May 2009 21:17:00 +0000

Very nice. I will definitely be looking around this coming week to see where I can practice this.

By: Doc

Doc — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:51:35 +0000

Your reference to a safety test (taking the temperature) surprises me. I’ve been in situations in which the range was 1 – 5 and others in which it was 2 – 4, but never in one in which it was all 1′s or 1 – 2. That makes me wonder what the circumstances were, and how the meeting was convened and prepared. If everyone comes in as a 1, then there are many issues to be dealt with. And I’d challenge that the facilitator or organizer or organization is in trouble.

Frankly, if I started a meeting and everyone came in as 2 or less, I would be inclined to have an entirely different meeting that focused on how to increase the sense of safety of the group. Why? Because if everyone feels that unsafe, no meeting will be successful or productive.

By: Chris Matts

Chris Matts — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 14:21:19 +0000

For me “Safe” is related to uncertainty ( What a surprise ). For me, it is about the integrity of the situation ( You get what it says on a tin ).

As I go into a situation, if I know how I’m expected to behave, then there is no problem….”Say what you like.” or “Only say positive things”. Whatever is said in the room is ignored and everyone’s behaviour is driven by the culture of the environment. If I know I can speak with impunity I will. Otherwise I will filter for “happy” management-friendly content.

The problem for me is uncertain new environments. Am I meant to speak or not? Speaking may be a problem. Being quiet might be a problem ( in my case impossible ).

I have seen a “safety” test at retrospectives where everyone anonymously indicates how safe they feel on a scale of 1 to 4. Everyone always says 1, although there were a few raised eye brows when a 2 was drawn. The test did not really determine the real temperature of the room and did feel a little silly.

Do you have any safety tests?

By: erwilleke (Eric Willeke)

erwilleke (Eric Willeke) — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 13:42:58 +0000

Twitter Comment

One more great @athought post helping point out things that our industry needs to understand better! "Am I safe" [link to post]

- Posted using Chat Catcher

By: Fabio Lessa

Fabio Lessa — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 04:18:17 +0000

Great post Steven! I have seen a lot of technical discussions go sour simply because of how the “I don’t agree” argument was worded. And I am sure the team didn’t end up with the best solution because the people involved got defensive about their positions.

By: planettw (planettw)

planettw (planettw) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 23:21:07 +0000

Twitter Comment

Steven List: Is it safe?: In any book on facilitation, meetings, or effective communication, you’ll encounter th.. [link to post]

- Posted using Chat Catcher

By: davidmmorton (David Morton)

davidmmorton (David Morton) — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 22:43:39 +0000

Twitter Comment

@athought Excellent post. I've thought about this in relation to marriage, but not to work until now. [link to post]

- Posted using Chat Catcher