“The belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes, and the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking.“
Amy Edmundson
What is Psychological Safety?
Psychological safety is a critical concept in creating high-performing teams. Coined by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, it refers to an environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, express their thoughts, and share concerns without fear of punishment or humiliation. In a psychologically safe team, members trust that their colleagues will not embarrass or punish them for admitting a mistake, asking a question, or proposing a new idea.
This safety encourages open communication, innovation, and learning. It allows team members to fully engage, bringing their whole selves to their work. Teams with high psychological safety are more likely to harness the diverse skills and perspectives of their members, leading to better problem-solving and decision-making.
Organizations that prioritize psychological safety foster a culture of respect and inclusion, where constructive feedback is valued, and mistakes are viewed as opportunities for growth. This not only improves team dynamics but also enhances overall performance and employee satisfaction. In essence, psychological safety is the bedrock upon which successful, resilient, and innovative teams are built.
Measuring Psychological Safety
Use this simple 6 questions survey to measure psychological safety in your team.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1BzgeampfBCTeG3gFIzGeIC-z-3g7nMEb8cH20TKbAHI/edit?usp=sharing
Takeaways and Resources on Psychological Safety
- Creating Psychological Safety at Work in a Knowledge Economy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUo1QwVcCv0
- Building a psychologically safe workplace: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LhoLuui9gX8
- Takeaways on Psychological Safety: https://www.denkproducties.nl/blog/takeaways-on-psychological-safety-amy-edmondson
- Measuring Psychological Safety: https://psychsafety.co.uk/measure-psychological-safety/
A Wonderful Artwork on Psychological Safety (from: https://qaspire.com/conversations-that-build-psychological-safety/)
