Why safety—not just strategy—keeps IT teams running strong
You can have the best roadmap in the world, but if your team doesn’t feel safe, the cracks will show. Kurt Shriner, Vice President of IT Infrastructure Management at Capital Bank, says the foundation of high-performance IT isn’t tools or frameworks—it’s trust.
How safety turns into performance
- Safe teams speak up early. Kurt’s engineers surface blockers without fear of being punished or ignored—saving time and money down the line.
- Centralized request intake prevents burnout. Kurt acts as the “air-traffic controller,” shielding engineers from context-switching chaos.
- Long-tenure teams are more effective. Engineers who feel respected stay longer, build deeper systems knowledge, and deliver better outcomes.
- Roadmaps create shared clarity. Publishing the 18-month plan in Asana makes it easier to say “yes” or “not now” based on priorities—not politics.
- Trust enables visibility. Engineers can be candid when they know they won’t be penalized, which leads to better data and smarter decisions.
“I get the best information when my team feels safe, and they stay longer when they feel safe.” – Kurt Shriner
A culture of honesty becomes a competitive advantage
Kurt doesn’t just keep the lights on—he creates conditions where engineers can thrive. That means building systems around their focus time, protecting against overload, and giving them the psychological space to think critically and speak honestly.
If you want IT to accelerate delivery, reduce errors, and retain talent, start by investing in trust.
🎧 Full episode and insights: https://www.bigleaf.net/podcast-episodes/019-kurt-shriner/