Have you ever hesitated to share an idea at work or held back from asking a question fearing judgement, dismissal, or ridicule? These common concerns can stifle creativity, innovation, and growth within a team.
The key to unlocking your team’s potential is psychological safety. Read more and discover why psychological safety in the workplace is essential and how it can transform your team’s dynamics.
What is psychological safety?
“Psychological safety is a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes.” – explains Amy Edmondson, Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fearless Organization, who coined the phrase ‘team psychological safety’.
Psychological safety is more than just being nice – it’s about creating a space where everyone feels safe, valued, respected, and empowered to contribute. Think of psychological safety as a feeling of trust within a team, leading to significant benefits for your team members and organisation.
Why is psychological safety important?
Psychological safety is crucial for team success. Here’s why:
- Boosts Innovation: When people feel safe, they’re more likely to share new ideas and challenge the status quo.
- Encourages Learning: Mistakes become opportunities for growth rather than reasons for blame.
- Strengthens Collaboration: Trust and respect lead to better communication and teamwork.
- Improves Performance: A safe environment leads to happier, more engaged employees.
Conversely, low psychological safety can lead to a toxic workplace culture. As Edmondson notes, “Low levels of psychological safety can create a culture of silence. They can also create a Cassandra culture1 – an environment in which speaking up is belittled and warnings go unheeded.”
The benefits of nurturing workplaces with high psychological safety are well documented, offering a powerful argument for its importance in any team environment.
1‘Cassandra culture’ refers to the mythological figure Cassandra from Greek mythology who was cursed by the god Apollo to utter true prophecies that no one would believe.Cassandra | Myth, Significance, & Trojan War | Britannica
Research Spotlight: How Google discovered the importance of psychological safety
Google’s Project Aristotle, a comprehensive study aimed at understanding what makes a team effective, revealed that psychological safety is the most critical factor in team success. After analysing data from over 180 teams, lead Researcher, Julia Rozovsky and her team found that teams with high were more open, communicative, and collaborative, leading to better performance and more innovative outcomes.
The findings highlight the importance of nurturing a culture where psychological safety is prioritised, helping teams contribute contributes their best ideas and engage more deeply, ultimately driving success.
Psychologically safety is a must-have for team success
Fostering psychological safety in the workplace isn’t just a nice-to-have, it’s essential for driving innovation, collaboration, and high performance. Whether you’re leading a team or contributing to one, prioritising psychological safety can unlock untapped potential, boost morale, and build a culture where everyone feels valued and empowered to share their best ideas.
How to build psychological safety
Stay tuned for our next blog where we’ll explore practical strategies to build psychological safety in your team. The impact on your team’s morale, productivity, and overall success will be profound.
