July 24, 2018
Clear Confident Leader Weekly Observer, Issue #75
From the Greenbelt of Boise Idaho, Summer heat
Psychological Safety provides a foundational element for Team Success. Google researchers found it to be the most important dynamic of their effective teams.
Unfortunately, during times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, people can resort to reactive tendencies that make it difficult to maintain. It requires constant tending by teams and leaders committed to providing the necessary conditions for team success.
The term Psychological Safety describes a climate in which people feel free to express relevant thoughts and feelings without fear of being penalized. Although it sounds simple, the ability to ask questions, seek help, and tolerate mistakes while colleagues watch can be unexpectedly difficult.
– Amy Edmondson
In her book Teaming, Edmondson outlines seven benefits of providing Psychological Safety:
Here is a quick check you can do:
Taking turns speaking and having empathy creates bonds between team members, providing Psychological Safety, the cornerstone of effective team norms.
I assist teams and leaders to create better results by developing the practice of team leadership, including Psychological Safety. To learn more visit here. Let’s create a better future today!
Previous Posts in the Series:
Clear Confident Leader Weekly Observer, Issue #75
From the Greenbelt of Boise Idaho, Summer heat
Psychological Safety provides a foundational element for Team Success. Google researchers found it to be the most important dynamic of their effective teams.
Unfortunately, during times of volatility, uncertainty, complexity and ambiguity, people can resort to reactive tendencies that make it difficult to maintain. It requires constant tending by teams and leaders committed to providing the necessary conditions for team success.
The term Psychological Safety describes a climate in which people feel free to express relevant thoughts and feelings without fear of being penalized. Although it sounds simple, the ability to ask questions, seek help, and tolerate mistakes while colleagues watch can be unexpectedly difficult.
– Amy Edmondson
In her book Teaming, Edmondson outlines seven benefits of providing Psychological Safety:
- Encourages Speaking Up
- Enables Clarity of Thought
- Supports Productive Conflict
- Mitigates Failure
- Promotes Innovation
- Removes Obstacles to Pursuing Goals
- Increases Accountability
Here is a quick check you can do:
- Are your team meetings dominated by one person speaking, or do all team members take turns with the time spread more evenly?
- Are people empathetic to the challenges and issues team members are experiencing, or not?
Taking turns speaking and having empathy creates bonds between team members, providing Psychological Safety, the cornerstone of effective team norms.
I assist teams and leaders to create better results by developing the practice of team leadership, including Psychological Safety. To learn more visit here. Let’s create a better future today!
Previous Posts in the Series: