In this episode of 'Sh*t I Just Quit My Job,' host Maricella Herrera converses with Minette Norman, a leadership coach and consultant, focusing on psychological safety in the workplace. Maricella, who has a deep-rooted passion for diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, discusses how leadership and organizational culture are pivotal for fostering environments where employees feel safe to express themselves. Minette shares her extensive 30-year journey in tech, the politics that led her to leave her corporate role, and her transition into consulting. They delve into the importance of listening, creating inclusive meetings, and the critical role of first-time managers in shaping workplace culture. Minette offers practical advice for leaders seeking to build psychologically safe work environments and underscores the importance of self-awareness and resilience in leadership. The episode ends with Minette reflecting on the valuable experiences and skills she brought into her new career path.

About Minette Norman:

Minette Norman is an author, speaker, and leadership consultant who previously spent decades leading global technical teams in the Silicon Valley software industry.

Minette knows that when groups embrace diversity in all its forms, breakthroughs emerge, and innovation accelerates. Her most recent position before starting her own consultancy was as Vice President of Engineering Practice at Autodesk. Responsible for influencing more than 3,500 engineers around the globe, she focused on state-of-the-art engineering practices while nurturing a collaborative and inclusive culture.

As the author of The Boldly Inclusive Leader and the co-author of The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human, Minette is committed to helping leaders unleash the full potential of the people in their organizations.

Named in 2017 as one of the “Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business” by the San Francisco Business Times and as “Business Role Model of the Year” in the 2018 Women in IT/Silicon Valley Awards, Minette is a recognized leader with a unique perspective.

Minette holds degrees in Drama and French from Tufts University and studied at the Sorbonne Nouvelle in Paris.

Key Lessons:

* Psychological Safety: Learn what it means and why it's essential for team success.

* Office Politics: Understand the impact of workplace politics and how to navigate them effectively.

* Building Confidence: Hear Minette's personal story of overcoming self-doubt and rebuilding confidence after a challenging career transition.

* Inclusive Leadership: Practical advice on creating an inclusive culture where everyone feels valued and heard.

Episode Notes:

[00:02:00] - Introduction to Minette Norman: Background and career journey.

[00:06:00] - The Path to Tech: How Minette transitioned from acting to tech.

[00:13:00] - Defining Psychological Safety: What it is and why it matters.

[00:20:00] - Practical Steps for Inclusive Meetings: Tips and techniques to foster inclusion.

[00:28:00] - The Role of Middle Management: The critical influence of first-line managers on workplace culture.

[00:33:00] - Personal Stories of Overcoming Adversity: Minette's experience with workplace bullying and career change.

[00:39:00] - Starting Her Own Business: Transitioning from corporate life to entrepreneurship.

[00:45:00] - Advice for Aspiring Leaders: Key takeaways for anyone looking to improve their leadership skills.

Resources

What Google Learned From Its Quest to Build the Perfect Team - New York Times

The Fearless Organization by Amy C. Edmonson

The Psychological Safety Playbook by Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig

The Boldly Inclusive Leader by Minette Norman - Bookshop Link

Unlearning Silence by Elaine Lin Hering

The Strengths, Weaknesses and Blind Spots of Managers - Gallup

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