Hayden Brown (identified as the speaker) delivers opening remarks emphasizing that company culture is defined by what behaviors organizations reward and tolerate, not by superficial perks. She explains Upwork’s mantra of prioritizing self-care and argues that psychological safety is a necessary condition for innovation and high-quality work.
A lot of companies have recently realized that their culture has nothing to do with cute posters on the walls or whether they have cushy sofas in their lounge. Company cultures are all about what activities they reward and celebrate, and what activities are absolutely not tolerated inside of their workplaces. We always have a mantra at UPWORK that is around taking care of ourselves first and foremost. Because if we aren't nourishing ourselves and our bodies and our spirits, how can we possibly be expected to show up at work and do our absolute best? If we want to have workers and workplaces where true innovation is happening, we have to create the conditions of psychological safety to make them do that best work, which is why we brought them in in the first place. My name is Hayden Brown and I'm ready to make.
