“Psychological safety” may be a buzz phrase, but it’s a big deal. It means that members of a team feel comfortable in their team to be themselves, participate, share ideas, disagree, and even ask for help.
Organizational behavioral scientist Amy Edmondson of Harvard first introduced the concept and how it affects team success. She says the actions a leader takes can make or break the level of psychological safety among their team members.
• Be open; tell your people what’s going on.
• Be inclusive of everyone and encourage participation.
• Use positive language.
• Be respectful and appreciative.
• Give praise in front of others. Provide constructive feedback in private.
• Genuinely listen.
Need more specifics? Review this Harvard Business Review article. A 10-minute read.