Inappropriate behavior creates an unsafe work environment and can even put a person into social isolation. Since the #metoo movement and recent media coverage, there is greater awareness and less and less tolerance for undesirable behavior. Managers are expected to prevent, address and act decisively as a natural process.

Natasja van Schaik wrote the book "It won't blow over by itself. This book reaches out to the leader who wonders: how do I do this right?

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A safe workplace

A safe workplace, what is that? According to Natacha, this is a big word and means something different to everyone. "I think where I am physically safe, that's where I would start. But when it comes to being socially safe, for myself, I would say where I can give my ideas out loud without thinking, I'm being laughed at or without my ideas just being swept off the table or being judged in any way. That's the most important thing for me. I think in a general sense, a safe place is a place where you feel protected, but also actually are against unwanted behavior.", Natacha said. 

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Desired behaviors

According to Natasja, we are not used to talking about each other's behavior. We are increasingly coming to realize that behavior is an explicit part of our job satisfaction and work quality. Naming things that happen, indicating things that are okay or not okay for you, affect behavior and desired behaviors. That determines to what extent we innovate and enjoy going to work.

Listen to the new episode of the BNR Work Professor podcast and find out what a socially safe climate is, what triggers and reinforces undesirable behavior, and what signals to respond to and what works best then. 

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Links

See here book 'It doesn't blow over by itself'. 

More about Natasja van Schaik. 

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More about the Working Professor

Do you have questions or input? Please contact Wendy van Ierschot at wendy@viepeople.com. 

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