Navigating Psychological Safety Roles and Responsibilities

Within organisations, understanding and navigating psychological safety roles and responsibilities is vital.

In this edition, we delve into the crucial psychological safety responsibilities for leadership teams, managers and HR.

Whole Organisational Responsibility

Achieving Psychological Safety in the workplace requires individual commitment AND strategic interventions from the organisation.

Cultivating a psychologically safe workplace is a collective commitment that involves every single person in the organisation.

It is important to recognise that the responsibility for cultivating psychological safety doesn’t rest solely on one individual’s shoulders.

However, specific responsibilities can be categorised into 3 distinct spheres: leadership, management and HR.

Leadership Responsibilities

The leadership team holds 3 primary responsibilities.

1. Developing and communicating a clear mission and set of values that prioritise psychological safety.
2. Championing psychological safety as loudly as possible. This includes ensuring the narrative of psychological safety is disseminated throughout the organisation and integrated into every aspect of working life, from discussions in meetings, to ensuring maximum attendance at training events and organisation-wide completion of psychological safety annual assessments.
3. Leading the way in cultivating a culture characterised by effective communication, mutual respect and collaboration, where diverse perspectives are valued and all employees are treated with dignity and respect.

It is essential to recognise that this last responsibility isn’t confined solely to the leadership team. It is a collective responsibility shared by everyone within the organisation.

Management Responsibilities

Managers have 5 primary responsibilities.

1. Leading by example and modelling the behaviour they expect from their team members. This involves embracing vulnerability and sharing their own experiences, thereby creating a culture of openness and trust.
2. Encouraging open communication and active listening within their teams, to create a safe space for individuals and build trust.
3. Providing feedback and support to their team members, to help them grow and thrive in the organisation.
4. Championing diversity and inclusion. This is manifested through their hiring and promotion practices, recognising the value and importance of individuals with different backgrounds, skillsets and experiences.
5. Addressing incidents of conflict or harassment promptly and taking a strong stance against these behaviours.

Human Resources Responsibilities

The HR team have 5 additional responsibilities.

1. Establishing policies and procedures that support psychological safety, inclusion and equity.
2. Providing adequate resources and training to support individuals and teams.
3. Ensuring all employees have access to confidential resources for support, such as an employee assistance program or counselling services.
4. Proactively monitoring and addressing any issues related to discrimination, harassment or bullying in the workplace.
5. Measuring and monitoring psychological safety and taking action to address any concerns or issues, as well as continuously evaluating and improving upon the workplace culture to ensure that it is safe, inclusive and supportive for all employees.

Again, it is vital to note that some of these responsibilities are not exclusive to HR. The learning and development team, well-being team, managers and employees each hold specific roles and responsibilities within this collaborative effort.

Next Steps

It is essential for each member of the organisation to reflect on their roles and responsibilities regarding psychological safety.

Have these responsibilities been clearly defined and communicated to everyone?

Take a moment to reflect on how you contribute to cultivating psychological safety within your team and the broader organisation.

Are there areas where improvements can be made?

Psychological Safety Institute Updates

We are developing a few different ways you can engage with us. Please take a read to find out more!

Free Options

• This Psychological Safety 101 Newsletter! Please share this with your colleagues and peers.

• Psychological Safety Circle

A free private chat community for individuals interested in Psychological Safety. More on this coming soon!

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• Psychological Safety Institute Online Meet-Up

Our June Meet-Ups

Wed 5 June at 10am BST

Tues 18 June at 5pm BST

Free to attend - these are an opportunity to meet other people interested in Psychological Safety, to find out more about the Psychological Safety Institute, our methodology, the tools we use, our diagnostic tool, our training and to answer specific questions you have etc.

There is no agenda - we will discuss whatever you want to discuss in the session!

Click the links above to access the meeting links.

Low Cost Options

• Psychological Safety Forum

These are structured meetings dedicated to discussions, exchanges and activities related to psychological safety.

The Forum is a place where individuals can seek support and guidance related to psychological safety issues, and explore solutions. Participants may learn from each other's experiences, share best practices and explore strategies for promoting psychological safety in the workplace.

Fee of ￡20 per month to join the Psychological Safety Forum, with a 6 month minimum commitment.

DM me and I will add you to the waiting list.

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• The Authentic Organization: How to Create a Psychologically Safe Workplace.

Pre-orders now being taken:

www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1394232276

www.amazon.com/dp/1394232276

If you would like to discuss bulk orders, for your team, entire organisation or a big event you are hosting, drop me a DM.

Entry Level Options

• Psychological Safety Workshops

Level 1: Learn the Basics of Psychological Safety

Our Level 1 program is designed to equip you with the fundamental principles of Psychological Safety in just three interactive, inspirational sessions, 2.5 hours each. Earn CPD accreditation along the way!

Session 1: Orientation (1 hour)

Session 2: Introduction to Psychological Safety.

Delve deep into the essence of Psychological Safety: core concepts, myths, factors that influence PS, signs of PS issues in organisations, repercussions of its absence.

Session 3: Authentic Self and Identity. Personalities and Power.

Explore the intersection of authenticity, identity, personality and power dynamics within the context of Psychological Safety - and how this affects how you show up at work, interpersonal dynamics and overall PS in the workplace!

Session 4: PS in Organisations

Discover how Psychological Safety manifests within organisational structures, examine where priorities lie, understand the Hierarchy of Psychological Safety, dissect the interplay between inclusion, Maslow's hierarchy of needs and psychosocial hazards.

Gain insights into crafting a compelling business case, defining roles and responsibilities and learn how to initiate those crucial conversations to cultivate a culture of Psychological Safety.

We'll finish up with signposting, next steps etc.

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Investment for the Program: ￡1,500

Dates: July 2024, days and times to be confirmed

Attendance: 1 session per week

DM me and I will add you to the waiting list.

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• Measure Psychological Safety

If you want to measure psychological safety either in specific teams, or your entire organisation, Lux, our Psychological Safety Diagnostic Tool, is ready and waiting for you!

We collaborated with the University of Cambridge on this - so you can be sure it is validated, tested and interrogated thoroughly!

Once the survey results are in from the survey, we provide bespoke recommendations on what to do to improve psy safety!

Investment options

Individual teams: ￡2,500

Organisations with fewer than 1,000 employees: ￡5,000

Send me a DM or email to [email protected] if you want to set up a meeting to discuss a Lux roll-out.

Ready to ignite change?

Take action today to build psychological safety in your workplace.

Reach out to learn more: www.ThePSI.Global

For more valuable content, follow me:

@GinaBattye

CEO & Founder, Psychological Safety Institute