Why "You're Being Safe" Should Be the Norm in Every Operating Room

The blog post

In this episode, Mark Graban shares a powerful story from an operating room that highlights the importance of culture, leadership, and psychological safety in healthcare. A nurse noticed a small break in sterility, spoke up, and apologized. The surgeon’s response? “Don’t be sorry, you’re being safe.”

That short exchange changed the tone of the entire room. Instead of discouraging or shaming, the surgeon encouraged and reinforced the nurse’s action — preserving not only sterility, but also trust.

Mark unpacks why moments like this matter so much, how leaders’ real-time reactions shape culture, and why “you’re being safe” should be the norm in every hospital. He connects the story to key themes from The Mistakes That Make Us and Lean Hospitals, emphasizing that safety and respect for people aren’t abstract ideals — they’re daily practices that save lives and build better systems.

Whether you work in healthcare, manufacturing, or any high-stakes environment, this episode challenges you to reflect: How do you respond when someone speaks up? Do you reward their courage — or risk silencing it?