Communication, psychological safety and the human side of performance.
A simple hand gesture. No words. No explanation.
Yet, in a moment when someone may be frightened, threatened or unable to speak freely, that gesture can communicate something incredibly important.
I need help.
What struck me about the Signal for Help wasn't simply the gesture itself.
It was the people who recognised it. The people who noticed. Who understood. Who responded.
Recognising the Signal for Help
The Signal for Help was created by the Canadian Women's Foundation to help people experiencing gender-based violence discreetly ask someone to check in safely.
It's a simple gesture, but one that carries an important message. Sometimes the person who needs help most is the person least able to ask for it.
When Words Aren't Enough
I've experienced moments in both my personal and professional life when my boundaries were crossed, when I felt threatened, and when circumstances left me feeling powerless.
Moments when finding the words, or even knowing how to react, wasn't straightforward. Those experiences have stayed with me.
And they've shaped how I think about communication, leadership and the importance of the communities we build around ourselves.
Communication isn't just about what we say. It's about what others are able to hear, see and understand.
Sometimes silence isn't agreement. Sometimes a smile doesn't mean everything is okay. Sometimes someone who appears calm is anything but.
We talk a lot about communication in business. Leadership. Collaboration. Engagement. Psychological safety.
But how often do we consider what people aren't saying? How often do we notice a change in someone's behaviour, a hesitation in their voice, or the withdrawal of someone who was previously engaged?
Recognising the Signal Is Only the Beginning
Recognising that someone needs support is important. But what happens next matters just as much.
The following video offers another perspective on the Signal for Help and reminds us why awareness, understanding and the way we respond can make such a difference.
Recognising the gesture doesn't mean we automatically understand someone's circumstances or know what action they want us to take.
The Canadian Women's Foundation encourages people to respond safely, check in where possible, listen and allow the person seeking support to guide the next steps.
And that brings me to something I've spoken about in leadership workshops, particularly around psychological safety.
Our initial response to someone expressing vulnerability can have a lasting impact.
If we dismiss them, judge them or fail to listen, we may make it harder for them to ask for help again.
But if we respond with compassion, patience and understanding, we can help create the confidence and safety they need to communicate openly.
How We Respond Matters
HOW YOU RESPOND TODAY CAN DETERMINE WHETHER SOMEONE SPEAKS UP TOMORROW.
We cannot ask people to speak up if we aren't prepared to listen when they do.
And that responsibility doesn't stop at the workplace door. It extends into our homes, friendships and wider communities.
Whether we're leaders, colleagues, parents, friends or simply strangers passing on the street, we all have a role to play.
Some might argue that a video like this isn't business-related. I'd argue it's human-related. And every business is made up of human beings.
We won't always know what someone is experiencing. We won't always recognise the signals. And we shouldn't assume we understand someone's circumstances simply by observing their behaviour.
But we can become better at paying attention. Better at listening. Better at asking. Better at understanding.
And better at creating communities where people feel safe enough to be heard, supported and understood.
Because sometimes communication isn't about finding the right words. Sometimes it's about someone recognising that you can't find them.
And sometimes, how we respond in that moment can change everything. Not just today. But the next time someone needs the courage to ask for help.
Learn More About the Signal for Help
The Signal for Help was developed by the Canadian Women's Foundation. Visit their official resources to learn how to recognise the gesture and respond safely.
https://canadianwomen.org/signal-for-help/
Video credits: Canadian Women’s Foundation.
Find them here:
Website: https://canadianwomen.org/
Facebook: / canadianwomensfoundation
Twitter: / cdnwomenfdn
Linkedin: / the-canadian-women%27s-foundation
Instagram: / canadianwomensfoundation
Youtube: / canadianwomenfdn