People will play it safe if they’re worried their future is dependant on not failing. The problem with playing it safe means people will stay in their comfort zone and do what they’ve always done, even if the outcome is sub-optimal.

How do your words and actions hold people in their comfort zones? It might be subtle, yet, for some reason, people may not feel safe enough to take a risk. Are you telling them to find new and innovative ways of working, and at the same time, pressuring them to still deliver on an aggressive timeline? Are you trying to push through a new way of working without involving them in deciding to give it a try?

There are lots of ways people don’t feel safe when trying to change their ways. Just make sure you’re not one of those ways.

You’ve got this.