What is Psychological Safety and why it matters to my team?

It is a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. Psychological safety is a cornerstone of modern business success as it creates an environment where learning and adaptation thrive. In today's dynamic business landscape, continual adjustment is not just beneficial but essential for survival. A psychologically safe workplace fosters a culture where employees feel comfortable taking risks, sharing ideas, and engaging in open dialogue. This not only accelerates the learning process but also encourages a mindset of continual improvement. By prioritizing psychological safety, organizations create the ideal environment for learning and change, empowering their teams to adapt seamlessly to evolving challenges and opportunities.

What is Fearless Organization Scan? 

The FOS is based on the work of Professor Amy Edmondson from Harvard and it allows organizations to measure current levels of psychological safety in the workplace - and use the scan insights, supported by a facilitator to help build high-performing and psychologically safe teams.  There’s a substantial body of research from Amy’s work based on over 20 years of work with high-performing teams which has demonstrated how organisations with a higher level of psychological safety perform better on almost any metric on KPI compared to organisations with how levels of psychological safety.

You can read more about the benefits of this audit and psychological safety here.

How much time do I need to reserve for Fearless Organization Scan?

We recommend 2 sessions for a team leader that last about an hour and can be done in a remote setting. As for the time to be reserved for your team, it is recommended to host 1-hour introduction call, 5 minutes survey and about 4 hours debrief session that is hosted by a facilitator ideally in person during which we discuss the scan results and brainstorm on the solutions.

Can psychological safety help me to bring my team members to the office?

Psychological safety plays a crucial role in successfully introducing any change in your organization. One of the recent trends we observe on the market is the company’s need to bring employees back to the office post-COVID. Psychological safety creates an environment where team members feel secure expressing their concerns and adapting to the new normal. When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to embrace change with a positive mindset, making the transition smoother. Open communication and trust, fostered by psychological safety, enable leaders to address uncertainties and provide necessary support during the adjustment period. Overall, prioritizing psychological safety promotes a resilient and adaptable team culture, essential for navigating transformative changes like returning to the office post-pandemic.