Framework To Encourage Conversation
Today’s post will highlight a framework to encourage input, conversation, and openness. It is a coaching tool developed by Shooksvenson for goals, but I have found their “Be SAFE & Certain” model utilizing the concept of red and green traffic lights helpful for encouraging open dialogue at work and in everyday life.
Highlights of the “Be SAFE & Certain” Traffic Light framework:
Overview: If someone does not feel comfortable sharing their opinion at work, talking in a meeting, connecting with someone in life, that person is feeling a red light. A red light tells our brains to STOP...stop engaging, stop participating. Our collective goal is to get these 6 traffic lights GREEN to keep engagement high.
Process: If someone is not engaging, take a moment to mentally check in with each light in the framework:
Belonging: is she worried she may be rejected from the group if she doesn’t go along with what is being said?
Status: will speaking up lead to a role or position that does not feel right to her?
Autonomy: does she feel she has no control in the group?
Fairness: is she feeling any unfairness in the group?
Expectations: is she dreading something related to the group?
Certainty: is the group unpredictable?
Test it with yourself: next time you are in a group setting and you are not really engaged (assuming it’s not just a boring topic or group of people), run through the 6 lights to determine if one is red for you.Once identified, how might you shift that light to green? You may need to have a hard conversation, you may want to shift a long-standing belief, or take some other action specific to your situation.
You may also notice a trend, where one or two traffic lights turn red quite often for you. Belonging often comes up for me, so I know my team will get the best from me if I get to know and connect with each person outside of team situations to turn that light from red to green. Would love to hear what lights turn red for you regularly, and what you will do to counteract it.
I hope you found the framework helpful. If I can assist you on your path, professionally or personally, please schedule a 20-minute “are we a good fit?” call here.
In response to people who asked to hear my stories of bias, while it is emotional for me to relive, in a spirit of open dialogue and what I committed to last week, let’s talk over a video call. Let me know which day/time works best for you in this doodle survey.