Back to: Psychological Safety
CYCLING NEW ZEALAND AND HIGH PERFORMANCE SPORT NZ
In 2018, the media raised concerns about the conduct of people within Cycling New Zealand, which led to the Heron Report of 2018. It showed that allegations relating to ‘bullying, inappropriate intimate relationships, dysfunction and a lack of accountability within CNZ, and ineffective policies (amongst other things) were well-founded’.
On 9 August 2021, Olivia Podmore tragically died in a suspected suicide. Olivia was a key participant in the 2018 Report. Subsequently, a new report was commission by Cycling NZ and High Performance Sport NZ, regarding how each had responded to the 2018 report.
Respondents to the new inquiry reported that, despite some positive aspects to culture, and generally caring coaches, it was also evident that:
- People were not held accountable, with CNZ adopting a ‘blind eye’ or ‘sweep it under the rug’ mentality. Consequently, behaviour was not sanctioned and thus continued unchecked, victims were rendered invisible, and others were empowered to act badly, knowing their actions would be tolerated.
- Performance was emphasised over people. Athletes noted they were afraid to speak up about personal grievances, health concerns, or complain about people or processes that negatively impacted them out of fear they would not be selected because they were seen as incapable.
- There existed favouritism, bias and over-reliance on traditional male networks. Although Cycling NZ disagreed, nepotism was widely reported, with hiring processes not transparent, previous performance irrelevant, and appointees recycled through the high performance system.
- Athletes and staff felt isolated, unprotected and unsupported. There was mistrust among stakeholders and during the new report, several people (athletes mostly) raised concerns about whether they could trust that the process was confidential and anonymous. Others were concerned it was merely box-ticking that would not result in any meaningful change.
- Many said they assumed certain people had spoken up, when in reality they hadn’t. The report writers noted ‘the fact that that some stakeholders did not feel that they could safely participate in this process is concerning and may speak to the culture people are experiencing’.
PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY TAKEAWAYS
In other words, what Cycling New Zealand respondents identified was a lack of Psychological Safety:
- Fear of reprisals for speaking up
- People self-censoring and managing reputations
- Concerns not being addressed and complaints going nowhere
- Low trust
- Poor accountability
- Lack of sanctions for behavioural violations.
As the authors noted when referencing the 2018 report, there is a difference between an organisation ‘adopting’ recommendations, and an organisation ‘implementing’ recommendations. It’s a valid point in light of the feedback they received around ‘ticking the box’, lack of accountability and performance over people.
Demonstrating the change by openly discussing it, inviting feedback on how it might be actioned, incorporating divergent views, acknowledging that it will require effort, getting help, framing it as learning, being vulnerable and receiving feedback, contribute to building trust, goodwill, belief in benevolence and good intent, and overall Psychological Safety.
Otherwise, adopting without implementing reinforces the belief that speaking up is futile, and mistrust is warranted.
You can download and read the full report here.