{"id":9149,"date":"2026-04-22T11:46:13","date_gmt":"2026-04-22T18:46:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/safecarebc.ca\/?post_type=huddle&#038;p=9149"},"modified":"2026-05-12T09:21:50","modified_gmt":"2026-05-12T16:21:50","slug":"using-i-statements-to-build-team-trust","status":"publish","type":"huddle","link":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/?huddle=using-i-statements-to-build-team-trust","title":{"rendered":"Using \u201cI\u201d statements to build team trust"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">After this huddle, staff should be able to:<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Identify<\/strong>\u00a0the structure of a genuine \"I\" statement.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Demonstrate<\/strong>\u00a0how to shift from blaming \u201cyou\u201d statements to respectful \u201cI\u201d statements that demonstrate feelings and experiences.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">How to run the safety huddle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As the huddle leader, do the following:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Before the huddle, review the huddle content and huddle leader notes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have resources ready, such as policies, employee assistance programs, or SafeCare BC resources.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Choose a scenario that fits your workplace and read it aloud.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use the guiding questions to lead the discussion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use huddle leader notes as support while leading the discussion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Keep the discussion short to about 5-10 minutes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Definitions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An \u201cI\u201d statement is a communication tool that shifts the focus from what someone else did \u201cwrong\u201d to how you are personally experiencing a situation. By removing blame from the equation, you reduce the chance that the other person will become defensive, making it easier for them to hear what you are saying. It is a practical skill used to build connections and reduce friction, especially in high-stress environments or situations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI\u201d statements follow a simple structure. They&nbsp;state&nbsp;how a specific event or situation made&nbsp;you feel, followed by the request you would like to make.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cI feel&nbsp;[emotion]&nbsp;when&nbsp;[specific&nbsp;behaviour&nbsp;or situation]&nbsp;because&nbsp;[impact]. I need&nbsp;[specific request].\u201d<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Example:<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>\u201cI feel&nbsp;[stressed]&nbsp;when&nbsp;[I\u2019m&nbsp;managing multiple residents&nbsp;on my own]&nbsp;because&nbsp;[it affects our residents getting breakfast on time].&nbsp;I&nbsp;need [your help with the remaining&nbsp;residents].<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario for long-term care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Fatima is a care aide at a busy long-term care home. She is currently working a short-staffed morning shift and has successfully helped several residents get ready for breakfast. However, her colleague, who was supposed to help with the remaining residents, has been scrolling on their phone at the nursing station for the last ten minutes. Fatima feels her stress levels rising as the breakfast bell rings. She is tempted to walk over and snap, \"You are being so lazy and inconsiderate while I\u2019m doing all the work!\" She knows this will\u00a0likely start\u00a0an argument, so she pauses to\u00a0consider how to use an \"I\" statement to address the situation.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guiding questions for long-term care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>How do you expect the other person to react to the \u201cyou\u201d version of Fatima\u2019s comment (calling her colleague lazy and inconsiderate)?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Using the \"I feel... when... because...\" structure, how could Fatima rephrase her concern?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why is it important for Fatima to focus on her own experience of the workload rather than\u00a0judging\u00a0her colleague's character?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Scenario for home care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jessica is a home health\u00a0support worker\u00a0who drives between several clients each day. Her schedule is tight, and she relies on the staff from the\u00a0previous\u00a0shift to leave\u00a0accurate,\u00a0timely\u00a0notes in the mobile app, so she knows exactly what her clients need when she arrives. For the third time this week,\u00a0her colleague on the\u00a0previous\u00a0shift has not updated the notes, leaving Jessica feeling unprepared and anxious as she enters a client\u2019s home. When Jessica sees this colleague at the end of the day, she wants to say, \"You are so disorganized.\u00a0You\u2019re\u00a0making my job impossible because you never do your paperwork!\" She stops herself, realizing\u00a0that\u00a0this\u00a0approach\u00a0is full of accusations and blaming. Her colleague will\u00a0likely get\u00a0defensive,\u00a0and this approach\u00a0won\u2019t\u00a0effectively solve the issue.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Guiding questions for home care<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What is the\u00a0judgment Jessica is making about her colleague in the first version of her comment?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>If Jessica starts with \"I feel unprepared when I don't have the morning notes,\" how might that change the colleague's reaction?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In a role where you\u00a0don't\u00a0see your teammates often, why is blame-free communication so important for staying connected?\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Huddle leader notes<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Organizational support<\/strong>: A healthy organization fosters a workplace where workers still have energy left for their personal lives after their shift ends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Create a safe space:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Listen<\/strong>, respect all views, and be mindful of others\u2019 challenges.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Guide<\/strong> the discussion to focus on what participants can control.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Move<\/strong> the conversation from complaints to solutions, strengths, and helpful actions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Invite <\/strong>anyone with specific concerns to talk with you after the huddle.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Key discussion points:\u00a0<\/strong>Use the\u00a0objectives\u00a0and key discussion points below to guide the huddle if needed.\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>The blame game:<\/strong>\u00a0Starting with \"You...\" often sounds like an accusation, which causes people to\u00a0go\u00a0quiet\u00a0or protect themselves.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>The \"I\"\u00a0formula:<\/strong>\u00a0A strong \"I\" statement often follows a simple pattern: \"I feel [emotion] when [action] because [impact]\".\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Avoid\u00a0fake I\u00a0statements:<\/strong>\u00a0Saying \"I feel that\u00a0<em>you<\/em>\u00a0are being selfish\" is still a judgment disguised as an \"I\" statement.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Practical\u00a0phrases:<\/strong>\u00a0Encourage staff to use openers like \"I notice...\", \"I'm\u00a0concerned\u00a0that...\", or \"I would prefer...\"\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Impact on\u00a0safety:<\/strong>\u00a0Clear, respectful communication helps people feel safe enough to ask questions or admit mistakes.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Strong communication is essential for a safe and respectful healthcare workplace. Learn how using \u201cI\u201d statements can reduce conflict, build trust, and support better teamwork during high-stress situations.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":9151,"template":"","tags":[],"audience":[118],"topic":[398,409,173],"class_list":["post-9149","huddle","type-huddle","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","audience-audience","topic-communication-2","topic-phs-days","topic-psychological-health-and-safety"],"acf":[],"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/huddle\/9149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/huddle"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/huddle"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/9151"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=9149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=9149"},{"taxonomy":"audience","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Faudience&post=9149"},{"taxonomy":"topic","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/scbcdev.safecarebc.ca\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftopic&post=9149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}