If you’re interested in fuelling your team’s career development, wellbeing and organisational growth, the concept of Team Psychological Safety likely rings a bell—it’s a hot topic! But here’s the kicker: without fostering this environment, you run the risk of leaving untapped potential on the table.
Keep reading to discover:
💡 What it is.
💡 5 tips to get it.
💡 Why high-performing, happier teams swear by it.
First, the ‘what’:
The phrase “Team Psychological Safety,” coined by Harvard Business School professor and author of The Fearless Organization, Amy Edmondson, refers to the shared belief among team members that it’s OK to:
✔️ Take risks
✔️ Speak up with questions
✔️ Express their ideas and concerns
✔️ Own up to mistakes — without fear of negative consequences
Why Team Psychological Safety matters
Psychological safety is crucial to any high-performing, successful team because it fosters an environment where employees feel valued and respected. When team members are comfortable expressing themselves freely, they are more likely to collaborate effectively, take on challenging projects, and bring their best ideas to the table.
Benefits of fostering psychological safety include:
- Improved decision-making: When team members feel they can share diverse perspectives, opinions, and ideas, the result is a wider range of solutions and better overall decision-making. Each voice contributes to the team’s innovation, helping them avoid groupthink and make smarter choices.
- Culture of continuous learning: By encouraging employees to learn from their mistakes, you create a culture where failure isn’t feared. Instead, mistakes become valuable learning opportunities. This culture supports professional growth, adaptability, and a more resilient team.
- Higher engagement and motivation: Employees who feel psychologically safe are often more engaged and motivated. They know their contributions are valued, making their work more meaningful. They’re more likely to feel fulfilled, increasing both job satisfaction and retention.
Risks of Ignoring Psychological Safety
Failing to promote psychological safety can lead to several organisational challenges:
🚩 High turnover: A lack of psychological safety drives employees away. People seek workplaces where they feel respected and valued. Without that, you risk high turnover, which can be costly and disruptive.
🚩 Increased burnout and low morale: Constantly feeling undervalued or fearful of speaking up creates stress and eventually leads to burnout. This affects morale, productivity, and even the mental health of your employees.
🚩 Underperforming teams: When employees don’t feel safe to express ideas or make mistakes, their creativity and problem-solving suffer. Over time, this leads to a stagnant and underperforming team that misses out on valuable growth opportunities.
Five ways to cultivate Team Psychological Safety
Implementing psychological safety in your team is a continuous effort. Here are five effective strategies to help you build a safer, more supportive workplace.
🌱 1. Create opportunities for everyone to speak up
Actively create spaces where team members feel encouraged to share. During meetings, for example, use the “What, When, Why” framework. Explain clearly what you need their opinion on, why it matters, and how their input will influence the outcome. This structured approach shows team members that their voices matter.
🌱 2. Normalise vulnerability
Lead by example and embrace vulnerability yourself. Share stories of mistakes you’ve made and lessons learned. Acknowledge that even leaders make errors and learn from them. This encourages your team to take risks without the fear of being judged or criticised harshly.
🌱 3. Celebrate failures as learning moments
Turning failure into a learning experience takes practice. Start by highlighting mistakes as “First Attempts In Learning” (FAIL). Set aside time during weekly team meetings or one-to-ones to ask team members to share a recent challenge or setback. Celebrate their openness, which strengthens their confidence and willingness to improve.
🌱 4. Seek out insight and ideas from your team
Regularly ask your team for input and ideas. Go beyond simply asking for opinions and show genuine interest in their feedback. Phrasing like, “What are your thoughts on this, [Name]?” shows that you value their perspectives. You might be surprised at how much their ideas can enhance your own.
🌱 5. Respond with curiosity instead of dismissal
When a team member brings up an idea, react with curiosity. Ask questions, invite elaboration, and show you’re open to new suggestions. Even if an idea doesn’t fit, respond with encouragement. This not only builds their confidence but also reinforces that their ideas are valued and taken seriously.
Why high-performing teams swear by Psychological Safety
Highly successful companies often have psychological safety at the core of their team culture. Why? Because it enhances:
- Creativity and Innovation: Teams that feel safe are more likely to take creative risks. They’re not afraid to think outside the box or propose unconventional solutions, which can lead to breakthrough ideas.
- Effective Problem-Solving: When individuals can voice concerns without fear, potential issues are addressed earlier, avoiding bottlenecks and preventing costly mistakes.
- Stronger Team Cohesion: A safe environment fosters trust and respect, strengthening relationships within the team. Colleagues become more supportive of one another, knowing they are part of a genuinely collaborative effort.
- Employee Wellbeing: Psychological safety is closely linked to employee wellbeing. When people feel safe, stress levels decrease, engagement rises, and teams experience less turnover, resulting in a more stable and productive environment.
How Psychological Safety fuels career development and organisational growth
Psychological safety isn’t just a benefit for individuals; it plays a big role in organisational success. Teams that operate in a safe environment are typically more adaptable, resilient, and better equipped to face challenges. Here’s how it can accelerate growth at both the individual and company level:
- Enables career development: When employees feel safe, they’re more likely to seek out challenges, take on leadership opportunities, and develop skills that advance their careers. A workplace that supports this will see employees growing alongside the organisation.
- Enhances learning and development: Employees in psychologically safe environments are more inclined to participate in training, provide feedback on development programmes, and bring new ideas. They’re better positioned to develop competencies that are crucial in a competitive marketplace.
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Team Psychological Safety is not just a buzzword; it’s a powerful tool for any organisation committed to thriving in today’s fast-paced world. By fostering an environment where your team feels safe, you’re not only enhancing their productivity but also investing in their wellbeing and the overall health of your organisation.
