The Power of Diverse Teams w/ Esra Yetis

In this exciting episode of the Product Weekend podcast, host Joao Moita welcomes digital technology consultant Esra Yetis, a passionate advocate for psychological safety and diversity in teams. Together, they explore the critical importance of fostering an inclusive environment within organizations. Join them as they discuss how embracing diverse perspectives can drive innovation and enhance collaboration, even amidst the challenges of transformation. This episode is packed with insights for leaders and team members alike, designed to empower all participants in the workplace. Key Takeaways: - Understanding Psychological Safety: Esra Yetis emphasizes the need for organizations to create psychologically safe environments where team members feel safe sharing their ideas, contributing to a culture of openness and trust. - Importance of Diversity: Diverse teams are proven to outperform homogenous groups in problem-solving and innovation. Different backgrounds and expertise contribute richly to creative solutions and unique perspectives. - Building Trust within Teams: Key strategies for establishing trust include open communication, active listening, and regular feedback loops, fostering a sense of belonging among team members. - Navigating Organizational Transformation: Esra discusses the challenges organizations face during transformation efforts and how psychological safety is essential to encourage personnel to embrace change rather than resist it. - Practical Tools for Leaders: Leaders are encouraged to facilitate discussions on team values through exercises like the Team Canvas, enabling groups to agree on shared principles and understand individual strengths and weaknesses. Feel free to share these insights with your network and inspire others to prioritize psychological safety and diversity within their teams! Resources mentioned: (minute 10) The Lippitt-Knoster Model: https://changemanagementinsight.com/lippitt-knoster-model-for-complex-change/ (minute 14) Team of Teams : New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World https://www.amazon.com/Team-Teams-Rules-Engagement-Complex/dp/1591847486 Timestamps: 00:00 Coming up 04:28 Esra's Career Path 10:03 Transformation Challenges 11:58 Building Trust in Teams 20:22 Psychological Safety in the Workplace 25:38 Safe Spaces at Work 31:02 True Diversity vs Marketing 35:17 Leadership and Inclusion 37:29 Closing Remarks