What COBE looks for.
Psychological safety
Whether people feel able to speak, disagree, report concerns and contribute without disproportionate interpersonal risk.
Performance pressure
Repeated proving, scrutiny, over-preparation, perfection pressure and the demand to demonstrate competence again and again.
Identity suppression
The extent to which people edit language, behaviour, identity or self-expression to remain safe or professionally acceptable.
Progression friction
Patterns in sponsorship, stretch opportunity, visibility, advancement, recognition and access to senior decision-making.
Recovery pressure
Whether work leaves people able to recover, sleep, sustain energy and maintain health over time.
Leadership trust
Whether employees believe leaders will listen, respond fairly, protect people and address recurring conditions.
Survival Tax
Identity, safety, belonging and emotional regulation.
Performance Tax
Repeated proving, scrutiny, over-preparation and perfection pressure.
Progression Tax
Sponsorship, visibility, advancement and access to opportunity.