How can leaders foster a culture of psychological safety at work?

Seeking and graciously accepting context-specific feedback can quickly demonstrate authentically being in a mindset of vulnerable growth.

These are great steps, and working in a culture that practices these values is REALLY rewarding. Be the change you want to see! Leading means practicing these principles yourself first, and doing the best you can to influence others to practice them too. Feedback toward these goals is invaluable. Be resilient when faced with team mates who don't practice this! Deliberately practicing inclusion of people and ideas ultimately creates the most productive TEAMS and brings the best outcomes.

This topic is close to my heart as there's a staggering increase in the experiences of workers experiencing unhealthy, toxic work environments. Modelling vulnerability for me is when I openly share my mistakes, uncertainties and emotions with my team. It's important that I set the standard that it's acceptable to be imperfect and human. As a result my team have learned to be open to share their thoughts and concerns without fear of judgment or criticism. And it helps my team develop their emotional intelligence as it requires self-awareness to understand and manage their emotions, fosters empathy and active listening with each other. As their leader I need to be attuned to the emotional states and needs of my team.

Implementing meeting norms that normalize curiosity and diverse perspectives such as NWTTBETO (no one talks twice before everyone has a chance to talk once) or by making a commitment to make space for introverts, multi-lingual participants, or those who simply process more slowly by allowing reflection time for important questions or comments. Speaking up about problematic or unethical conduct is hard, but made much safer when folks have spoken critically or asked tough questions and had their voice rewarded and recognized.

Appreciating diversity enhances leaders' emotional intelligence by requiring them to be aware of and sensitive to the different experiences and viewpoints within their team. It promotes empathy, as leaders must understand and appreciate the challenges and strengths that come from diverse backgrounds. This practice also involves effective communication and active listening, as leaders engage with a wide range of perspectives. By embracing diversity, leaders build trust, foster collaboration, and encourage innovation, contributing to a psychologically safe and inclusive workplace.

Emotionally intelligent leaders are crucial in fostering a culture of psychological safety at work. Emotional intelligence involves self-awareness, self-regulation, empathy, and social skills, all of which contribute to creating a safe and supportive work environment. By integrating these aspects of emotional intelligence into their leadership style, leaders create a psychologically safe workplace where employees feel secure, valued, and motivated to contribute their best. This environment not only enhances individual well-being and job satisfaction but also drives overall organisational success through improved collaboration, innovation, and productivity.