As crucial as the physical well-being of employees is at the workplace, it is equally vital for companies to maintain psychological safety at work. A psychologically safe workplace fosters trust, collaboration, and innovation, paving the way for employees to thrive.
According to Google’s Project Aristotle, psychological safety is the most important factor in building successful teams. Teams with high psychological safety are characterized by mutual respect and trust, leading to increased creativity and overall job satisfaction.
But, what is psychological safety? Is it even possible or completely Utopian? Let’s dive straight into the world of psychologically safe work environments.
What is psychological safety?
Psychological safety in the workplace refers to an environment where employees feel secure enough to take risks, express their ideas, and voice concerns without fear of retribution. As the Harvard Business Review notes, “employees who feel safe are able to unleash their talents and bring their whole selves to work.” So, psychologically safe workplaces foster high-performing teams and an inclusive work culture.
For instance, in a psychologically safe team, a junior member might confidently suggest a new approach to a project, knowing their input will be valued and considered. Similarly, an employee might feel comfortable admitting a mistake, trusting that their admission will lead to collective problem-solving rather than individual blame.
Four stages of psychological safety
Dr. Timothy R. Clark, CEO of LeaderFactor and author of “The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety”, states that there are four stages of psychological safety. Each stage can significantly enhance the workplace environment, enabling employees to thrive:
Inclusion safety
Inclusion safety is the foundation of psychological safety, ensuring all team members feel accepted and valued for who they are. This stage focuses on diversity, equity, and fostering a sense of belonging.
How to implement inclusion safety?
- Encourage diversity: Promote a culture that values diversity in all forms – race, gender, age, background, and perspectives.
- Foster open communication: Create platforms and opportunities for all team members to voice their opinions and ideas.
- Lead by example: Leaders should model inclusive behavior by actively listening, showing empathy, and acknowledging everyone’s contributions.
- Address exclusion and discrimination: Proactively address behaviors or practices that exclude or marginalize individuals.
Learner safety
Learner safety allows employees to feel safe while engaging in the learning process. It encourages curiosity, risk-taking, and continuous improvement without the fear of negative consequences.
