What’s the secret to building a high-performing team? Some people might say it’s hiring the best talent or having a clear vision and strategy. But the truth is psychological safety is an essential ingredient for all successful teams. 

Psychological safety is a term coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson. It describes a team environment where members feel safe to take risks, share ideas, and ask for help without fear of being judged or punished. Teams with high psychological safety are more innovative, resilient, and effective. They can learn from their mistakes, adapt to change, and overcome challenges together. 

This blog post will explore the importance of psychological safety for teams and how leaders can create a psychologically safe environment. We will also discuss the benefits of psychological safety for innovation, resilience, and team performance. 

Building a Foundation: How to Create a Psychologically Safe Team 

Establishing Trust and Respect: The Cornerstones of Psychological Safety 

Building trust and respect is essential to creating a team where everyone feels safe to speak up and take risks. This means creating an environment where everyone feels confident that their opinions are valued and heard. By listening carefully to different perspectives and acknowledging the contributions of each team member, a culture of trust can begin to grow. 

In high-performing teams, leaders are critical in setting the tone for trust and respect. Leaders should encourage open communication, promote diversity and inclusion, and show the value of each team member’s input. When leaders prioritize these things, team members are more likely to feel safe and, as a result, are more likely to take risks and share new ideas. 

Here are some specific ways that leaders can set the tone for trust and respect in their teams: 

• Be transparent and honest. Share information with your team members and be honest about your own mistakes. This shows that you trust them and that you value their input. 
• Be open to feedback. Encourage team members to give you feedback, both positive and negative. This shows that you respect their opinions and are committed to improving. 
• Create a culture of inclusion. Make sure that everyone on your team feels welcome and valued, regardless of their background, experiences, or perspectives. This includes promoting diversity and inclusion in hiring, decision-making, and team interactions. 
• Give credit where credit is due. Recognize and reward the contributions of all team members. This shows that you value their hard work and dedication. 

Navigating Conflict in a Psychologically Safe Way 

Conflict is a natural part of life but can be incredibly challenging in a team setting. Conflict can catalyze growth and innovation when team members feel safe to disagree and express their concerns. However, when conflict is handled poorly, it can create a hostile environment and undermine psychological safety. 

Here are some strategies for navigating conflict in a psychologically safe way: 

• Encourage open communication. Team members should feel comfortable expressing their thoughts and feelings, whether unpopular or controversial. Leaders can create a safe space for open communication by modeling active listening and respectful disagreement. 
• Provide constructive feedback. Feedback is essential for growth, but it should be delivered in a supportive and respectful way. Avoid blaming, criticizing, or attacking team members personally. Instead, focus on specific behaviors and offer suggestions for improvement. 

• Address conflict promptly and constructively. Don’t let conflict fester. When conflict arises, address it head-on in a private and respectful setting. Work together to identify the root of the problem and develop a solution that meets everyone’s needs. 

In psychologically safe teams, conflict is not seen as a threat but as an opportunity to learn and grow. Team members are encouraged to express their concerns openly and work together to find solutions. This approach helps to maintain a positive and productive team environment. 

Reaping the Benefits: Psychological Safety for Innovation 

Innovation is essential for businesses to thrive in today’s rapidly changing marketplace. However, innovation cannot flourish without a culture of psychological safety. Psychological safety is a shared belief that team members can take risks and be vulnerable without fear of negative consequences. It is a critical foundation for innovation, allowing team members to explore new ideas, experiment, and learn from their mistakes. 

How Psychological Safety Creates an Environment Conducive to Innovation 

When team members feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to: 

• Share their ideas, even if they are unconventional or incomplete. 
• Ask questions and seek clarification. 
• Take risks and experiment with new approaches. 

• Admit mistakes and learn from them. 
• Give and receive feedback openly and constructively. 

These behaviors are essential for innovation, as they create a fertile ground for new ideas to emerge and be developed. Additionally, psychological safety fosters a culture of collaboration and trust, which is critical for teams working effectively on innovative projects. 

The Impact of Psychological Safety on Team Resilience 

Psychological safety also has a positive impact on team resilience. Resilience is the ability to bounce back from setbacks and challenges. Teams with high psychological safety are more resilient because they are more likely to: 

• Communicate openly and honestly about challenges. 
• Seek support and help from one another. 
• Learn from their mistakes and make adjustments. 
• Stay focused on their goals and objectives. 

This resilience allows teams to navigate challenges and setbacks more effectively and to come out stronger on the other side. 

How Google and Netflix Create a Culture of Psychological Safety 

Google’s 20% time 

Google’s 20% time policy is an excellent example of how to create a psychologically safe environment for innovation. Employees are encouraged to spend 20% of their work time on side projects outside their job description. This gives employees the freedom to explore new ideas and take risks without fear of being punished for failure. 

The 20% time policy has been responsible for some of Google’s most successful products, including Gmail, Google Maps, and Google Chrome. It has also helped to create a culture of innovation at Google, where employees constantly develop new ideas and ways to improve their products and services. 

How Netflix Handles Conflict 

Another example of psychological safety in the corporate world is how Netflix handles conflict. Netflix has a culture of “radical candor,” which means that employees are encouraged to be honest and direct with each other, even if it means giving feedback that is difficult to hear. 

Netflix believes that radical honesty is essential for continuous improvement. When employees feel safe sharing honest feedback, the company can better identify and address problems. This has helped Netflix to become one of the most successful companies in the world. 

These are just two examples of how psychological safety can be implemented in the corporate world. The results can be remarkable when leaders create a safe space where employees feel comfortable speaking up and taking risks. 

Conclusion

Psychological safety is the bedrock of high-performing teams. It is the glue that binds trust, innovation, and resilience, creating a culture of collaboration and propelling teams towards new heights of performance. Leaders committed to transparency, inclusivity, and open communication become the architects of psychological safety. They foster an environment where team members feel secure to share ideas, take risks, and navigate conflicts constructively. 

Industry leaders like Google and Netflix demonstrate the transformative impact of fostering a space where innovation thrives, and conflicts are seen as opportunities for growth.  The journey to team excellence begins with recognizing that psychological safety is not just a concept; it is a commitment to unlocking the full potential of each team member, creating a foundation for teams not only to succeed but to flourish in the face of challenges and change.