Learning from Failed Attempts at Psychological Safety

Explore the often-overlooked lessons from unsuccessful attempts to create a psychologically safe workplace environment, and how these failures pave the way for more effective strategies.

Understanding Psychological Safety and Its Importance

Psychological safety refers to a team environment where individuals feel comfortable expressing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of punishment or humiliation. This concept is crucial for fostering innovation, collaboration, and overall team performance.

Creating a psychologically safe environment encourages open communication, which can lead to more effective problem-solving and increased employee engagement. It allows team members to take risks and make mistakes without the fear of negative consequences, promoting a culture of continuous learning and improvement.

Common Pitfalls in Establishing Psychological Safety

One common mistake is assuming that a relaxed or friendly atmosphere automatically translates to psychological safety. If everyone's lovely, that's a good thing, right? Hmm, not so fast. While a positive environment is essential, by itself it doesn't necessarily mean team members feel safe to speak up.

Another mistake is neglecting to address power dynamics within the team. If certain members dominate conversations or decision-making processes, others may feel intimidated or excluded, hindering psychological safety.

Additionally, inconsistent behaviour from leadership can undermine efforts to build psychological safety. Leaders need to constantly and consistently model the behaviours they wish to see in their teams, such as openness, vulnerability, and supportiveness. Walk the talk, or don't expect anyone else to.

Real-Life Failed Attempts at Psychological Safety 

At one client I supported, leadership had recently implemented an anonymous suggestion box to encourage open feedback. However, the lack of transparency around how suggestions were handled led to distrust and disengagement among employees. Although this had been done with the best of intentions, the intervention failed because it neglected to address the underlying issues of trust and accountability.

Another example at a different company involved a team-building retreat aimed at fostering a supportive culture. While the retreat included various activities — ranging from outdoorsy pursuits to more cognitive team-based games to social relationship-building — the lack of follow-up and integration of the lessons learned into daily work practices rendered the intervention ineffective. Team members reverted to old habits once they returned to their regular work environment.

Key Lessons Learned from Unsuccessful Interventions

One critical lesson is that psychological safety cannot be achieved through one-off initiatives or superficial measures. It requires ongoing effort and commitment from both leadership and team members.

Another important takeaway is the need for transparency and follow-through. Employees need to see that their input is valued and acted upon. Without this, efforts to solicit feedback or encourage open communication may backfire.

It's also crucial to benchmark psychological safety at the outset and to measure it regularly on an ongoing basis to see where gaps may be developing and where interventions should be focused.

Interventions that Worked

One successful intervention at another client involved regular, structured check-ins where team members could share their thoughts and concerns in a safe space. This practice helped build trust and open communication over time.

Another effective strategy was the implementation of peer-to-peer feedback sessions. By creating a structured process for giving and receiving feedback, team members felt more comfortable and supported in expressing their views.

One powerful tool that can help teams navigate challenges and foster trust is a Team Charter. A Team Charter serves as a guiding document that outlines the team's purpose, values, and norms, setting clear expectations for team behaviour and communication. Collaboratively establishing ground rules and commitments empowers a sense of shared accountability and mutual respect, and provides a solid foundation for building a culture of trust and openness.

Moving Forward: Strategies for Successful Psychological Safety Implementation

To foster psychological safety, leaders should prioritise consistent and transparent communication. This includes regularly updating the team on decisions and changes, as well as being open about challenges and uncertainties.

Encouraging a culture of empathy and active listening is also crucial. Leaders and team members alike should practice truly listening to each other's perspectives and validating their experiences.

Finally, integrating psychological safety into the fabric of the organisation's culture requires ongoing measurement, training and development. Providing resources and opportunities for team members to learn about psychological safety and to practice related skills can help sustain a safe and supportive work environment.