RECORDING: Some Class #3

Want to know the most counter-intuitive first step in breaking a Mexican standoff?

Stop trying to solve it.

Sounds crazy, right? But here's what's fascinating: The moment you stop pushing for solutions, something remarkable happens. People start feeling safe enough to have real conversations.

Think about it. At Busways, everyone's in defensive mode:

• Management clutching spreadsheets like shields
• Veteran drivers fortified behind their existing contracts
• New drivers rallying behind equality banners
• The union armed with industrial action threats

They're all so busy defending their positions, they've forgotten how to listen. Really listen.

This is where crucial accountability principles flip the script. Instead of jumping to solutions, we need to create what psychologists call "psychological safety" - the belief that you won't be punished or humiliated for speaking up.

Here's the counter-intuitive approach:

1. Start with Mutual Purpose
   Instead of: "We need to resolve this two-tier system."
   Try: "We all want Busways to be a place where people feel valued and the business can thrive."
2. Acknowledge the Validity of All Fears

• Management's fear of unsustainable costs? Valid.
• Veteran drivers' fear of losing benefits? Valid.
• New drivers' fear of perpetual inequality? Valid.
• Union's fear of losing relevance? Valid.

1. Share Your Own Story First
   Be vulnerable. Share your own struggles with the situation. When leaders go first in showing vulnerability, it changes the entire dynamic.

But here's what makes this approach powerful: It's not about being nice. It's about being strategic. Research shows that psychological safety isn't just about feelings - it's a prerequisite for solving complex problems.

Google's Project Aristotle spent years studying what makes teams effective. Their surprising conclusion? The single biggest factor wasn't experience, resources, or even leadership style.

It was psychological safety.

Think about that. Before we can solve the two-tier problem, we need to create an environment where people feel safe enough to:

• Admit they might be wrong
• Consider new perspectives
• Take risks in suggesting solutions

The real question isn't "How do we fix the two-tier system?"

It's "How do we create enough safety for real dialogue to begin?"

In our next piece, we'll explore specific techniques for creating this safety and starting the crucial conversations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

But first, consider: What would you say if you felt completely safe to speak your truth about this situation?