To start, here’s some insights from a psychiatrist who specializes in helping people in the cybersecurity industry, and who recently spoke about this topic at RSA.
In medical school, there was an Attending Physician who was the head of our team, supervising residents in training and medical students. On the first day of my clerkship rotation with this physician, he said something that continues to be memorable and inspiring for well-being: That anyone on the team could just say that their plate was full, and that they needed some help.
There would be no penalties, no need to feel bad, and it wouldn’t be looked down on. We were a team, and we would help one another to take care of our patients.
This is the type of message and mindset that leaders at all levels can share to lead by example. This physician, in one simple message right at the beginning, provided an immediate environment of safety and caring for everyone.
He removed the stigma and onus of speaking up by making it default. He expected that people would come to him to ask for help, and that it would be given without any fear of receiving downgrade marks or negativity.
This is the type of approach and culture that I think we need to build for our organizations and for the people we care for and provide to. And that includes ourselves.
