Episode 4: Relationship - Building Trust Through Psychological Safety

AI is rated as a better listener than humans... but it can't reduce loneliness. Because what we need isn't perfect words—it's genuine human connection.

This week we dive into Relationship, the fourth dimension of the CARING Framework.

In This Episode

• Why psychological safety must be balanced with accountability (safety alone tanks performance)
• The research on empathetic language as the most powerful trust-building tool
• AI as accommodation, not cheating: social anxiety, autism, empathy gaps
• The "AI label effect": why knowing a response is AI-generated reduces trust
• Brené Brown on vulnerability and why judgment kills brave spaces
• Three complete demos: dismissive coworker, suspected AI essay, meeting agenda transformation
• Tool 1: High-Stakes Relationship Communication (Option A vs Option B)
• Tool 2: Relationship Layer Enhancement (2-minute trust transformation)

Plus: Why this isn't manipulation—it's learning to express care more clearly. You're training yourself to build psychological safety while maintaining accountability.

Resources Watch the full YouTube tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/@TheCARINGFramework Get Week 4 Instructions (Both Tools): https://thecaringframework.substack.com/s/instructions Audience Profile Template: https://thecaringframework.substack.com/p/caring-framework-audience-profile?r=3nohio

The CARING Framework is a research-based approach to using AI for more intentional, empathetic communication. New episodes every week.

Research

• Edmondson, A. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams.
• Higgins, E. T., et al. (2022). Psychological safety and psychological unsafety: Activation, consequences, and ways forward.
• Men, L. R., et al. (2021). Impact of charismatic executive leadership communication on employee trust and support for organizational change.
• Brown, B. (2018). Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts.
• Ovsyannikova, E., et al. (2025). When AI is perceived as more compassionate than humans: Third-party evaluations of empathetic responses in crisis support.
• Weinstein, N., et al. (2025). Can AI satisfy the need for relatedness? High-quality listening without human connection.
• Yin, M., et al. (2024). The AI label effect: How knowledge of AI authorship affects empathy.
• Common Sense Media. The dawn of the AI era: AI detection and marginalized communities.

Ever cried in a supervisor's office (or have someone cry in your office)? Or watched someone shut down the moment you started giving feedback? That's what happens when we skip affirmation and jump straight to problems.

This week we dive into Affirmation, the second dimension of the CARING Framework.

In This Episode

• Why Self-Determination Theory says competence is essential for motivation
• The research on strength-based vs deficit-based feedback (spoiler: strengths win)
• Mental health data: why "we all turned out fine" doesn't match reality
• Rejection Sensitivity Dysphoria and my personal story
• Two complete demos: student essay + workplace executive summary
• Option A (AI drafts for you) vs Option B (AI coaches you to draft)

Plus: Why this takes longer than generic prompts—and why caring always requires time. You're training yourself to scan for competence first.

Resources

Watch the full YouTube tutorial: https://youtu.be/6c7G1Sqc2IE

Get Week 3 Instructions (Options A & B): https://thecaringframework.substack.com/s/instructions

The CARING Framework is a research-based approach to using AI for more intentional, empathetic communication. New episodes every week.

Research

• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2000). Self-determination theory and the facilitation of intrinsic motivation, social development, and well-being.
• Hiemstra, D., & Van Yperen, N. W. (2015). The effects of strength-based versus deficit-based self-regulated learning strategies on students' effort intentions.
• World Health Organization. (2022, March 2). COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Mental health of older adults.

Week 2: Context - Design for Real Humans, Not Generic Audiences

Ever pick up a book and realize it's book 3 of a series? Or get an unnecessarily complicated email? That's what happens when we forget about context.

This week we dive into Context, the first dimension of the CARING Framework.

In This Episode

• The cognitive science behind context (your brain is a tiny desk)
• Why people need personal relevance before technical details
• Universal Design for Learning and why good design is universal design
• Week 2 instructions: two options (Quick Start or Customize)
• How to create audience profiles that save time
• Real demo: same 3 facts, completely different messages for families vs. business clients

Plus:

Why this process takes longer upfront—and why that's actually the point. You're building habits that become automatic.

Resources

Watch the full demo walkthrough: ⁠https://youtu.be/_lZOLAUeXo0 ⁠

Find Week 2 Context Instructions: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/weekly-caring-ai-instructions-courtnay-boateng-kxfwc/ ⁠

The CARING Framework is a research-based approach to using AI for more intentional, empathetic communication. New episodes every week.

Research

• Cowan, N. (2001). "The magical number 4 in short-term memory." Behavioral and Brain Sciences.
• Peterson & Peterson (1959). "Short-term retention of individual verbal items." Journal of Experimental Psychology.
• Maurer et al. (2021). "Lessons learned from developing plain language summaries of research studies." Health Literacy Research and Practice.
• King-Sears et al. (2022). "Achievement of learners receiving UDL instruction: A meta-analysis." Teaching and Teacher Education.

Can AI help us practice being more human?

In this episode I introduce the CARING Framework, a research-backed approach to using AI for more thoughtful, empathetic communication. Inspired by Brené Brown's insight that "we are bad at being deeply human right now," I break down six key dimensions: Context, Affirmation, Relationship, Inclusion, Nurture, and Growth.

You'll hear a live demo comparing a generic follow-up email to one shaped by the CARING approach, and why the questions AI asks can train you to communicate with more care.

Perfect for educators, leaders, and anyone who wants messages to land with genuine connection. Next week: a deep dive into Context.

Full CARING Instructions (updated weekly): ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/weekly-caring-ai-instructions-courtnay-boateng-kxfwc

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CARING Week 1: Basic Communication Instructions

Copy and paste the following into your AI of choice:

Follow these steps for EVERY communication task I give you:

Step 1: Ask Questions

Before completing your task, ask me 3–5 clarifying questions about:

• Who is the recipient and what's our relationship?
• What's their current situation or mindset?
• What's my goal or purpose for this communication?
• What might they be feeling or needing right now?
• Are there sensitivities, barriers, or power dynamics to consider?

Step 2: Explain Your Approach

After I answer, summarize what you'll prioritize and why.

(Example: "I'll focus on reassurance and clarity because the recipient may feel uncertain.")

Step 3: Draft the Communication

Write the message using the CARING Principles below.

Step 4: Reflection Prompt

Ask me one reflective question about what I learned from this process.

CARING Principles

• Context — Design for the real human in front of you, not a generic audience.
• Affirmation — Acknowledge strengths, effort, or progress before addressing gaps.
• Relationship — Use collaborative language. Build psychological safety. Show you're on their side.
• Inclusion — Consider accessibility and diverse perspectives. Use clear, respectful language.
• Nurture — Validate that challenges are real. Separate the person's worth from their performance.
• Growth — Focus on learning and development. Ask "What's next?" not "What went wrong?"

Purpose

These steps aren't just for better AI outputs—they help me build communication intentionality and practice care, empathy, and reflective thinking in every interaction.