by Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy

Are your employees aware of your company’s or team’s unwritten rules? Do they know if it’s okay to turn off their video during a Zoom meeting? Or to take a break from work and go for a walk in the middle of the day?

During stressful times, it can be helpful to everyone, whether they’ve been at your company for years or just started last week, to know exactly what the unstated cultural and emotional norms are. So write them down and share them. The authors call these “it’s okay to…” lists and suggest including unspoken rules related to digital communication norms, emotional support, psychological safety, and work styles. This simple exercise can have a big impact on easing employee anxiety and helping every person on your team feel secure and supported.