Discovering the Power of Safe Workplaces with Yemi Penn

Join us for an enlightening conversation with the incredible Yemi Penn, where we delve into the vital topic of trauma and creating psychologically safe workplaces. Yemi, a British-born Nigerian living in Sydney, brings a unique perspective to this critical discussion. With her background in engineering and deep understanding of trauma, she offers insights that are both profound and practical.

Watch the replay here: https://cuppa.tv/programs/replay-yemi-penn-eggshell

• Acknowledging and Healing Trauma:

  • Yemi emphasizes the importance of acknowledging individual and collective trauma. She explains that understanding and addressing trauma is crucial for personal and organizational transformation.

  • Trauma, if not addressed, can manifest in various behaviors and impact an individual's performance and relationships at work.

• Intersectionality and Identity:

  • Yemi's background as a British-born Nigerian living in Sydney provides a rich context for understanding intersectionality. She highlights the importance of recognizing the complex identities individuals bring to the workplace and how these identities can influence their experiences and perceptions.

• The Role of Engineering in Trauma Work:

  • Yemi draws parallels between her engineering background and her work in trauma. The analytical and problem-solving skills from engineering help her approach trauma transformation methodically.

  • The idea of building infrastructure in engineering translates to building supportive environments and structures in workplaces to address and transform trauma.

• Psychological Safety and Experiential Safety:

  • Yemi redefines psychological safety as experiential safety, emphasizing that feeling unsafe doesn't necessarily mean being unsafe. It's about creating an environment where individuals feel mentally and emotionally secure to express themselves and address their trauma.

  • Open conversations and genuine dialogue are essential for fostering experiential safety.

• Trauma-Informed Leadership:

  • Leaders need to be trauma-informed and aware of how trauma can impact their employees. This includes recognizing signs of trauma, such as sudden changes in behavior or anger outbursts.

  • Yemi suggests that leaders should not only support their employees but also reflect on their own trauma and how it affects their leadership style.

• Research and Documentary on Cultural Trauma:

  • Yemi is working on a PhD focusing on the transformation of cultural trauma, using an arts-based approach to create a documentary. This research aims to provide a framework for organizations to address and transform cultural trauma.

  • She introduces the concepts of "me-search" and "we-search," emphasizing the importance of individual and collective exploration of trauma.

• Impact of Global Events on Trauma:

  • Recent global events, including the COVID-19 pandemic and wars, have exacerbated feelings of unsafety and highlighted existing traumas. The pandemic created a pause that forced many to confront their unresolved issues.

  • Organizations need to recognize and address these heightened sensitivities to maintain a supportive and productive work environment.

• Organizational Culture and Long-term Effects:

  • Not addressing trauma in the workplace can lead to a toxic organizational culture, high employee turnover, and loss of valuable talent.

  • Creating a supportive environment where employees can address their trauma can lead to a more resilient and engaged workforce.

• The Power of Conversation:

  • Open conversations about trauma are essential for healing. Yemi encourages leaders and organizations to create spaces for these discussions, even if they are uncomfortable.

  • Talking about trauma can prevent the buildup of unresolved issues and promote a culture of understanding and support.

• Actionable Frameworks:

  • Yemi's research aims to develop actionable frameworks that organizations can use to address trauma. These frameworks will help leaders and employees navigate their trauma, leading to a healthier organizational culture.

If you want to meet with Yemi and Cuppa to support please fill out an enquiry by Clicking Here