1. How to become a
team that learns
Georg Sorst
CTO FINDOLOGIC

2. We build software
Every project is a new challenge
Unclear requirements
New technologies

3. We need to learn all the time
Learning is a process, not a goal

4. NO ONE WANTS TO LOOK:
IGNORANT
INCOMPETENT
INTRUSIVE
NEGATIVE
IT’S EASY TO MANAGE!
DON’T ASK QUESTIONS
DON’T ADMIT WEAKNESS OR MISTAKE
DON’T OFFER IDEAS
DON’T CRITIQUE THE STATUS QUO
Thanks to Amy C. Edmondson, Harvard Business School
Impression Management
Drives out learning

5. Psychological Safety

6. Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be
punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas,
questions, concerns, or mistakes.

7. Psychological Safety
More learning
Better results

8. According to Google:

9. But how?

10. Positive experiences
Trust
Psychological Safety

11. Ask questions, modell curiosity
Acknowledge your own fallibility
Foster collaboration
Support your colleagues
Be welcoming and coaching-oriented
Emphasize excellence
Decide as a team or
Explain your decisions
Bond with your fellow humans
Engage in personal conversation
Spread the love

12. Is it a matter of finding the right
point on a balance beam?
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SAFETY
ACCOUNTABILITY
Psychological Safety - Accountability
Thanks to Amy C. Edmondson, Harvard Business School

13. high
low
low high
MOTIVATION &
ACCOUNTABILITY
PSYCHOLOGICAL
SAFETY
Apathy Zone
Comfort Zone Learning Zone
Anxiety Zone
Thanks to Amy C. Edmondson, Harvard Business School

14. Compelling goal
Everyone contributes
Experience success

15. Fail early
Fail controlled
Learn

16. Scrum

17. Planning Poker
Ask questions
Give feedback
Discuss ideas

18. Code Reviews, XP
Work together
Learn together
Build trust

19. Retrospective
This is a safe place

20. Take aways

21. Trust and challenge each other
Communicate openly
Help each other out
Have clear goals

22. THANKS
g.sorst@findologic.com
@piefke_schorsch