Psychological safety and emotional intelligence are key factors for employee engagement, productivity, and well-being. In this article, you will learn what they are, why they matter, and how to measure and improve them in your organization.
Psychological safety is the belief that you can speak up, share ideas, make mistakes, and be yourself without fear of negative consequences. It is a foundation for trust, collaboration, and innovation. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to engage in learning, creativity, and problem-solving.
Emotional intelligence is the ability to understand and manage your own and others' emotions. It involves four skills: self-awareness, self-regulation, social awareness, and relationship management. When employees have high emotional intelligence, they are more likely to communicate effectively, empathize, and cope with stress.
Employee engagement is the degree to which employees are committed, motivated, and satisfied with their work and workplace. It affects performance, retention, and customer satisfaction. Psychological safety and emotional intelligence are crucial for employee engagement because they foster a positive work environment, a sense of belonging, and a growth mindset.
Assessing psychological safety and emotional intelligence in your organization can be done through various tools and methods. Surveys and questionnaires, such as the Psychological Safety Survey or the Emotional and Social Competency Inventory, can be used to measure the level of psychological safety and emotional intelligence among your employees. Interviews and focus groups can also be conducted to gather qualitative feedback and insights on their perceptions, experiences, and suggestions. Additionally, observations and feedback can be provided to your employees on their behaviors and interactions that reflect psychological safety and emotional intelligence. For instance, you can notice and praise when they express their opinions, ask for help, show empathy, or resolve conflicts.
Leaders, managers, and employees must work together to improve psychological safety and emotional intelligence. To do this, leaders and managers should set the tone and expectations for psychological safety and emotional intelligence by being transparent, supportive, and curious. They should also reward employees for sharing their views, learning from mistakes, and giving and receiving feedback. Training and coaching programs can help employees develop and enhance their psychological safety and emotional intelligence skills. Resources and tools, such as the SBI and STAR models, can be used to give constructive feedback or to share success stories. Additionally, teams should value and leverage the diversity and inclusion of their members. Team-building activities and regular check-ins can foster trust, communication, and collaboration. The Team Canvas and the Five Dysfunctions of a Team model can be used to assess and improve team effectiveness.