How to build Psychological Safety in the workplace
source:
CharityJob
first published: 11 September 2023
The concept of psychological safety in the workplace is gaining recognition. It’s fundamental both to the performance of your charity and to the wellbeing and happiness of your employees. But what is it, why is it important and how can you ensure you’re building it into your organisation?
What is psychological safety?
The term was coined by Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson and refers to ‘a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns or mistakes’ at work.
It’s more than a buzzword - psychological safety is extremely important to the welfare and success of your team.
When it’s there, employees feel able to express creative ideas, share feedback and challenge the status quo. When it’s missing, workplaces are ridden with anxiety, stress and loneliness.
The importance of psychological safety in the workplace!
Psychological safety isn’t just a ‘nice-to-have.’ 89% of employees believe it’s essential in the workplace.
And a wealth of research has shown that organisations with high psychological safety experience
a range of benefits, including:
- reduced turnover rates
- more engaged and productive employees
- lower stress levels
- enhanced collaboration
- greater innovation
Leading tech companies such as Google and Microsoft have identified psychological safety
as the key to a successful team.
