What is Psychological Safety?
Elevating the conditions for quality conversations and better business outcomes.
What is it?
A climate of psychological safety means feeling confident and safe to speak up when it matters most, at the times it’s most important to share knowledge, ask questions, or offer a different perspective. An experience of high psychological safety is knowing that ideas, questions, and concerns will be welcomed and valued — rather than judged.
It is a continuous practice, reflecting a cultural mindset nurtured over time, rather than a ‘quick fix’.
“It describes people’s perceptions of the consequences of taking interpersonal risks in a particular context, such as a workplace.”
“A belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes. And that contributions will be welcomed.”
Professor Amy C. Edmondson
Why it matters.
Sustainable performance starts with psychological safety. It’s the foundation of agility, learning and innovation, enabling better conversations, and healthier group dynamics and cultures. It helps organisations successfully navigate complex and changing environments through honest, genuine and open conversations.
“People who are afraid will not do their best work. They will not be satisfied with their job. They will unlikely ask for help, notify you of a mistake, or share any great ideas they may have.”
Professor Amy C. Edmondson
How it creates impact.
- Building rapid organisational learning and adaptation by supporting the conditions for genuine continuous improvement feedback loops
- Enabling productive challenges, across all levels of leadership, ensuring that idea meritocracy is nurtured and important corrections can be made early
- Promoting the contribution and engagement of all team members so that the full potential of the team can be achieved
- Reducing avoidable mistakes because communication on things that aren’t working stays timely, direct, and valued
- Reducing psychosocial hazards because the voice of reporting or concern is more easily raised and heard
- Creating the conditions for ‘intelligent failures’, which drives innovation and novel solutions.
How we help.
PeopleTalking sets the global standard for measuring psychological safety and designing programs that create lasting impact.
- Developing the capability of your team to be ‘Fearless Leaders’
- Designing psychological safety programs that support your strategic and cultural objectives
- Coaching your Executive and Senior Leadership cohort for focused top- down impact
- Training and development for targeted teams, or at scale for all employees
Let’s make conversations work in your organisation.
We’ll help transform your people and business through conversations and meaningful connections that improve performance and wellbeing.