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Gather At The Well: How to Create Human-Centered Systems + Policies - Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde

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May 7, 2025

Join Marisol Pineda Conde, a passionate speaker on human-centered policies, as she discusses transforming traditional policies into people-first systems. She and Lindsey Fuller delve into the importance of policies as cultural reflections, emphasizing how they can foster safety and well-being. The duo shares a five-step process for developing inclusive policies, offers insights into identifying gaps, and highlights the need for feedback in effective policy-making. This engaging conversation equips listeners with actionable strategies to balance organizational needs with genuine human experience.

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INSIGHT

Human-Centered Policy Definition

Human-centered policies prioritize the impact on people first, before legal or financial considerations.
This approach reverses the usual policy-making order, enhancing care and trust in organizations.

ANECDOTE

Policy Chaos at The Teaching Well

Their organization arrived with misaligned handbooks and policy documents causing confusion.
This led Lindsey and Marisol to prioritize building coherent, intentional policies.

ADVICE

Collect Staff Feedback Strategically

Use multiple feedback tools like supervision check-ins and surveys to identify policy needs and gaps.
Engage staff directly to determine which benefits and supports are most important to them.

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Policies aren’t just paperwork—they’re culture in action.

In this episode of Gather at the Well, Lindsey Fuller and Marisol Pineda Conde invite us to rethink how policies are created—and more importantly, who they’re really for.

Together, they pull back the curtain on their own journey from outdated handbooks to building intentional, people-first policies rooted in trust, care, and collaboration. With warmth, wisdom, and a whole lot of heart, they break down a five-step process that transforms policy-making from a check-the-box task into a powerful tool for psychological safety and team well-being.

You’ll hear stories, real talk, and tangible steps to design policies that reflect your values, center lived experience, and actually support the humans behind the work. Whether you're growing a startup, leading a nonprofit, or shaping culture in your school, this convo will leave you equipped—and inspired—to build better, together.

You’ll walk away with:

A five-step process for policy creation
How to balance organizational needs with human needs
Actionable strategies for policy implementation

Episode Highlights:

Defining Human-Centered Policies (02:18)
The Importance of Policies in Organizations (03:44)
Identifying Policy Gaps and Needs (06:08)
Feedback Mechanisms for Policy Development (10:06)
Challenges in Implementing Policies (13:45)
Opportunities for Policy Improvement (16:19)
Accountability and Leadership in Policy (19:31)
Roadmap to Human-Centered Policy Creation (25:51)

✨ Affirmations:

I am an attuned listener and a responsive leader.
When we know better, we do better.
Even if I feel overwhelmed to tackle policy creation, I can take the first step by noticing what's needed and asking for help.
I'm not alone. I don't have to do this on my own.
I honor that feeling. I know it will pass.
I honor my overwhelm. This moment can pass.
I honor my self-doubt. This feeling will pass.

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