Understanding Psychological Safety: Challenge your Assumptions

Are you ready to challenge your assumptions and discover what psychological safety truly is?

In this edition, we will cover:

1. The common misconceptions versus the reality of psychological safety
2. Psychological safety in action
3. Key indicators of psychologically safe workplaces
4. Transitioning from Theory to Practice: 6 actionable things to implement immediately

The common misconceptions versus the reality of psychological safety

Most people, when asked what they think Psychological Safety is, respond with one or more of the following:

It is the BELIEF that your team can:

1. Take risks (aka inter-personal risk taking)
2. Make mistakes
3. Express their opinions without fear of judgement

The reason they/you think that, is because you have been TOLD that is what it is, without questioning it.

This definition has been cemented in people's mind through the power of the media. They hooked into one PRable aspect of a piece of research that was conducted around Psychological Safety (the one that was particularly influential in the healthcare industry) - and the definition stuck.

So let us look at what ‘inter-personal’ means. Because, I think you need to fully understand how limiting this definition is.

Inter-personal relates to:

• Dynamics of relationships
• Communication between people

So, based on this definition, psychological safety is fundamentally about how individuals engage with each other.

Right?

Wrong.

Tell me. How did we let something so pivotal, directly influencing the success of individuals, teams and organisations, be confined to such a narrow definition?

What Psychological Safety actually is

Psychological safety impacts every single person on the planet.

It influences every part of your daily life, such as your family interactions, social life, work, health, relationships, finances, education, your creativity, your engagement with your local community, your spirituality, religion and your digital life.

Psychological safety refers to how safe and at ease you feel in different settings, whether it is a physical space, an environment, a situation or when interacting with people.?Note: when I say safe, I am not referring to your physical safety.

Key Point: Psychological safety is primarily focused on an individual's subjective experience of safety, comfort and confidence within a specific context.

Psychological Safety is a complex concept with a multi-dimensional nature.

Your perception and feeling of being safe encompasses a variety of cognitive-emotional-behavioural aspects, that influence emotional and mental well-being, thought processes, emotional responses and behaviour.

Psychological safety extends beyond mental and emotional well-being to incorporate aspects such as intra-personal awareness, inter-personal dynamics, communication and social interactions, team dynamics, among others.

A note here. Psychological safety is not the same as mental health. While psychological safety relates to the perception of safety in various situations, mental health encompasses an individual's overall psychological and emotional well-being, including conditions like anxiety, depression and stress.

Psychological Safety In The Workplace

Ok, so now you have a better grasp of what Psychological Safety really is, let us look at what that means in terms of its application in the workplace.

"Psychological safety in the workplace starts at the individual level, where cultivating intra-personal awareness lays the groundwork for bringing your Authentic Self to work.

This intra-personal foundation acts as a catalyst, playing a pivotal role in cultivating positive team dynamics and collaboration."

I know that is pretty heavy, so let's break it down.

Intra-personal = an individual’s understanding and awareness of their own thoughts, emotions and behaviours.

Psychological Safety in the workplace starts with you understanding your thoughts, emotions and behaviours. This understanding serves as the foundation for psychological safety in the workplace.

This self-awareness is crucial because your thoughts and emotions directly influence your performance and behaviour in the workplace. Right?!

This self-awareness doesn't just help you bring your Authentic Self to work; it also makes a big difference in how you communicate, with leveraging team dynamics and how you collaborate with others. When you are aware of your own thoughts and feelings, you can better navigate interactions with others and collaborate more effectively, are more creative and curious AND MUCH MORE!

At its core, Psychological Safety involves intra-personal awareness, the ability to express your Authentic Self, effective inter-personal communication, understanding and leveraging team dynamics and creating an environment conducive to collaboration.

Achieving Psychological Safety in the workplace requires individual commitment and strategic interventions from the organisation, aimed at supporting and enhancing this critical aspect of workplace culture.

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So. To re-iterate. Psychological Safety starts with YOU. Not the collective. Not with 1-1 interactions. YOU. It begins with understanding your thoughts and feelings and how they impact on your performance and behaviour at work.

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If your organisation isn’t psychologically safe, the root of the issue lies with individuals, not the collective.

Many organisations attempt to address Psychological Safety issues at the team level, but this approach rarely works. The key is to start at the individual level.

Ultimately, a psychologically safe workplace is one where individuals and teams can thrive and achieve their full potential.

Psychological Safety in Action

• You are able to bring your Authentic Self to work situations, regardless of personalities in the room.
• You have the tools to navigate triggering moments.
• You can manage negative thoughts and emotions when they arise.
• You can communicate effectively, handle disagreements or conflict and express/clarify expectations.
• The work environment has been intentionally designed to facilitate effective collaboration.
• EVERYONE has the self-awareness, communication tools and collaboration skills to thrive at work.

Key indicators of psychologically safe workplaces

In Psychologically Safe workplaces you will notice the following key components.

• Individuals are able to bring their Authentic Self to work.
• Communication with crystal-clear clarity is a top priority.
• The work environment is intentionally designed to facilitate exceptional collaboration and teamwork, promoting a deep sense of belonging where everyone in the team can thrive.
• Regular opportunities for reflection and creative exploration empower individuals to fully utilise their unique talents and perspectives, resulting in increased innovation and enhanced problem-solving capabilities.

Summary

Psychological safety extends far beyond inter-personal risk-taking; its foundation lies in intra-personal awareness and its influence reaches across various domains.

The ultimate objective is to cultivate environments where all individuals can thrive.

Transitioning from Theory to Practice: 6 actionable things to implement immediately

Seek Feedback

Actively seek feedback from your colleagues and team members about how psychological safety is perceived in your organisation. Identity existing narratives within your organisation. Are there areas where you could change that narrative? Use this feedback as a catalyst for action.

Educate Others

Share what you've learned about psychological safety with your colleagues and leaders. Help dispel common myths and misconceptions (more on these later) by promoting a deeper understanding of what psychological safety truly entails.

Start Conversations

Initiate conversations with your colleagues about psychological safety. Share your insights from this resource and ask for their thoughts and experiences. Encourage open dialogue about how you can collectively build psychological safety in your workplace.

Reflect on Your Own Behaviour

Take a moment to reflect on your own thoughts, emotions and behaviours (intra-personal aspects) and how these impact on the psychological safety of your team or organisation. Identity any intra-personal aspects or attitudes that could be adjusted to create a more inclusive and supportive environment.

Perspective Shift

Reflect on how this information has shifted your perspective on psychological safety. Consider how you can apply this newfound understanding to enhance your approach to cultivating psychological safety within your team.

Lead by Example

Demonstrate intra-personal awareness, engage in active listening, create opportunities for open and honest communication within your team, and actively leverage team dynamics. By modelling these behaviours, you can inspire others to do the same and play a pivotal role in cultivating a culture of psychological safety.

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

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