What is Psychological Safety?
Psychological safety is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking, fostering open communication and collaboration.
Definition
Psychological safety, within a team setting, is the conviction that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.
It's a crucial element for high-performing teams, allowing individuals to feel comfortable sharing vulnerabilities. This environment encourages experimentation, learning from failures, and the free flow of information, leading to improved innovation and problem-solving. A lack of psychological safety can stifle creativity and lead to decreased employee engagement.
Impact on the organization
Psychological safety fosters a culture of trust and open communication. This boosts team performance, encourages innovation, and reduces employee turnover.
Companies with high levels of psychological safety often experience improved problem-solving, better decision-making, and enhanced employee well-being.
Key takeways for Psychological Safety
- Encourage open communication and feedback.
- Lead by example, demonstrating vulnerability.
- Foster an environment where mistakes are learning opportunities.
- Actively listen and validate team member's contributions.
Curated related readings
- The power of positive team culture: how to build a strong and successful team
- Unlocking organizational success through effective communication
- My Playbook : You user manual for effective collaboration
Synonyms for Psychological Safety : Team trust; Safety climate; Psychological security;