Psychological Safety in the Workplace: A Leadership Priority
What is Psychological Safety?
Psychological safety is the assurance that employees can speak openly, share their thoughts, feelings, and feedback without fear of retribution. It's about fostering an environment where people can show up as their true selves, openly communicate with supervisors, managers, and directors, and not be afraid to make mistakes.
Google's extensive research has conclusively shown that teams with a high degree of psychological safety outperform those without it. If employees are not psychologically safe, they won’t speak up when things aren’t going well, which has severe repercussions for business health. Employees may withhold essential feedback or hesitate to take necessary risks, leading to stagnation and reduced innovation.
How to Cultivate Psychological Safety
1. Uphold Organizational Values: The cornerstone of psychological safety is an unwavering commitment to values. Any deviation from these must be addressed and corrected promptly.
2. Promote Friendship and Belonging: A workplace that encourages friendship contributes to an atmosphere of safety. People are more likely to speak openly and take risks when they feel they belong.
3. Prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI): A diverse and inclusive work environment is more than just an ethical imperative; it contributes to a sense of safety and belonging for all.
4. Leadership Vulnerability: Effective leaders are those who lead with both their heads and their hearts. By showing vulnerability and authenticity, leaders make it easier for their teams to do the same.
Always focus on creating a psychologically safe work environment. Not only is it the right thing to do, but it is also a proven strategy for boosting organizational performance, innovation, and growth.
As always, choose happiness for yourself and aim to create a happy work environment. Your organization will not just survive but thrive.
Tia Graham is an international speaker, best-selling author, and consultant on positive psychology and engagement. She has worked with dozens of global companies, such as Marriott Hotels, Hewlett Packard, and Kashi Foods, to elevate employee engagement and drive bottom-line results. Prior to founding her company, Arrive at Happy, she led teams at luxury hotels in the United States and Europe for brands such as W Hotels, Westin, and The London.
With multiple certifications in neuroscience, positive psychology, and employee retention, and over 14 years of leadership experience, Tia is widely regarded by business leaders in her field. Her insights have been featured in major media, such as CNN, Forbes, and Fast Company, to name a few. Her new book, Be a Happy Leader, teaches her proprietary 8-step methodology on driving productivity and business growth through a culture of happiness.