Communication and teamwork failures in the operating room can threaten patient safety. This qualitative study explored how non-technical skills (NTS; teamwork, situational awareness, decision-making, etc.) can contribute to safe surgical outcomes. Participants highlight the role of NTS during the pre-, intra-, and post-operative stage, such as developing contingencies for best- and worst-case scenarios, completing time out procedures, and providing clear post-operative instructions to care team members.