Psychological safety has become a critical focus as businesses adapt in the ever-evolving workplace environment. Understanding how psychologically safe your team truly feels is crucial for fostering a thriving and innovative work environment. Through the prioritisation of psychological safety, organisations can encourage open communication, collaboration, productivity and creativity among team members.
Defining Psychological Safety
Dr. Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor, defined the term Psychological Safety as “A belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with questions, concerns, or mistakes, and that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.”
In a psychologically safe workplace, employees feel safe to learn, contribute, and challenge the status quo without fear of judgment or consequences.
The Levels of Psychological Safety
On average, organisations are currently ranked at barely 3/10 in psychological safety, preferring ‘artificial’ harmony, highlighting the crucial necessity for growth and the emergence of a more psychologically safe culture.
- Low: Organisations with low psychological safety exhibit minimal trust and inclusivity, leading to performance driven by fear rather than intrinsic motivation. It stifles innovation, discourages open communication, and increases the risk of burnout and turnover.
- Average: Trust and inclusivity exist, but employees feel comfortable expressing thoughts only occasionally and with certain colleagues. Mixed responses to mistakes can adversely affect collaboration and personal growth.
- High: A culture of openness and inclusivity fosters continuous learning, innovation, and personal growth, enhancing commitment, idea generation, and problem-solving, leading to improved attraction and retention rates.
Gallop research shows that shifting psychological safety from 3/10 to just 6/10 results in:
- 27% reduction in turnover
- 40% reduction in safety incidents
- 12% increase in productivity.
Amy, C. Edmondson. “The Fearless Organisation”. HBS. 2019. Wiley.
Psychological safety is also associated with improved problem-solving, decision-making, and knowledge-sharing, enhancing employees’ ability to adapt and contribute effectively, all of which are crucial as we transition to a modern workplace.
Building Psychological Safety in Evolving Work Environments
Prioritising psychological safety and inclusivity is vital in the new workplace, where remote work, flexible schedules, and a diverse workforce are becoming the norm. By fostering an inclusive workplace culture where employees feel safe to share ideas and take initiative, organisations can drive engagement, innovation, and overall improved performance.
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