With new sexual harassment scandals being uncovered every day, I’m writing to suggest a story idea for Scottsdale Living on 5 steps managers need to take to combat a toxic culture of harassment—before it’s too late.
According to workplace culture expert David Hassell of 15Five —a performance management solution that makes continuous employee feedback simple—even well-meaning managers might be unconsciously fostering an unsafe work environment.
Here are 5 leadership lessons to help managers create a workplace that’s comfortable for all:
1. CODIFY A MORAL COMPASS
Spend time actually thinking about your team’s values and developing rituals that support them—because a weak company culture creates an environment where warped values, and even harassment, and objectification can occur.
2. CREATE A CULTURE OF CONSTANT FEEDBACK
Create a structured system where employees can regularly share their concerns. Over time, this creates an open culture of trust and makes employees feel comfortable enough to point out inappropriate behavior.
3. ASK YOURSELF: ARE MY EMPLOYEES SAFE?
When you lead, you’re responsible for protecting your tribe—and this begins at the most basic level of personal safety. Defending the vulnerable against the powerful is the mark of a true leader.
4. CARE FOR YOUR EMPLOYEES’ WELL-BEING
Foster close relationships with your employees that help you detect when something is wrong—and then, ask simple, caring questions like, “Is everything okay?”
5. HELP YOUR TEAM BECOME BETTER PEOPLE, NOT JUST BETTER WORKERS
Your job is a leader is to help everyone on your team become the best people they can be. Responding to their basic human need to grow and develop will naturally translate to greater work performance.
