You may often come up with several ideas that will make your employees stay positive and excited to come to work. But do you know building psychological safety in your workplace is essential to make your employees feel happy about their job and workplace? They will be more productive, creative, and committed to you for the long term. The growth of any organization depends on its workforce, which is its backbone. So creating a positive work environment where they feel safe and valued will motivate them to stay continuously productive. Now, you may have questions about what psychological safety really is. And how does it matter for your workplace?
In this blog, we will delve deep into the benefits of psychological safety, how crucial it is for your organization, and effective steps to foster it in your workplace.
What is psychological safety in the workplace?
Psychological safety in the workplace refers to the work environment where employees feel safe to take risks, share their ideas, and give their feedback without the fear of embarrassment, punishment, or being judged. Moreover, it helps to overcome their fear of sugarcoating the wrong opinion of the team. Therefore, psychological safety creates an environment where everyone feels motivated to share their innovativeness confidently.
According to a McKinsey survey, 89% of employees like to have a psychologically safe workplace. They want to freely offer feedback on a leader's decision and need for changes.
Why Does Psychological Safety Matter in the Workplace?
Psychological safety creates a positive workplace where everyone gets encouragement to speak up on every matter and give their suggestions. It does not merely make people feel good to work but also helps in team effectiveness, continuous learning and employee retention. Most importantly, it boosts performance and better decision-making.
- Increase in creativity and innovation :
Employees feel valued to share their thoughts without any fear. Therefore, this leads to greater innovativeness and creativity in the workplace. Everyone confidently gives their opinion, whether in the case of brainstorming new products or finding a solution to a problem. Hence, it leads to innovative results.
- Improves team efficiency :
Teams working in a psychologically safe environment turn more productive and efficient. A safer workplace encourages open communication where employees are comfortable offering feedback, asking teammates for help without hesitation, and working collaboratively. Therefore, such open communication will help to build an effective team.
- Enhances employee well-being :
The workplace, when focused on psychological safety, brings up a sense of trust and respect for one another. This will decrease employees’ stress and make them happier, leading to better mental health for the workers.
- Reduces turnover :
When employees are safe and being supported in the workplace, they will be less likely to leave. Thus, the reduction in turnover rate will help the organization to stay competitive in the business market.
Signs of Inadequate Psychological Safety at your Workplace
A psychologically unsafe environment may develop these signs among its workers:
- People are scared to share their thoughts and opinions
- Less involvement of staff in meetings.
- Lack of active participation in important discussions.
- Hesitations to ask questions and provide feedback.
- Employees avoid undertaking risks and challenges frequently.
Therefore, if your workplace shows any one of these signs, take the necessary steps to create a positive and safe environment for your workers.
How to Promote Psychological Safety in the Workplace?
Building a psychologically safe workplace doesn't happen overnight. It takes continuous effort and time. We have discussed some simple yet effective methods to foster psychological safety in the workplace. Leaders can definitely create this culture in their organizations by following the below steps.
- Open communication :
Encouraging your staff to voice their opinions, ask questions, and share their thoughts will foster a safer environment. When everyone feels appreciated they can build trust and involve more in honest conversation.
- Lead by example:
Leaders who appreciate feedback and express their mistakes without embarrassment set the tone for others. If employees find that making errors is not uncommon, they will be ever ready to take action to solve problems. They will learn and improve from their mistakes and perform even better.
- Inclusive workplace :
A diverse and inclusive workplace that respects all its members will foster a psychologically safe environment. Everyone, when valued, will feel to be an integral part of the organization. Therefore, they will contribute more towards organizational growth.
- Constant support and encouragement :
When employees get constant support and appreciation for their ideas, they get motivated. Even if the idea is not perfect, pointing out the reason without harsh criticism will make them more confident. When you provide constructive feedback rather than negative comments, they will fearlessly participate in every discussion.
- Recognition and appreciation:
Employees want recognition and appreciation for their contributions. A simple acknowledgment of their hard work will motivate them. This will increase their confidence and make them engaged in their respective work.
Use of Psychological Safety Tools:
The Psychological Safety Index ( PSI ) is a powerful tool created by Dr Amy Watson to measure how people feel about their level of safety in organizations. PSI is a survey of its employees through a set of questions to measure their feeling of safety in the office. Some of the organizations have adopted this tool to know how safe their employees feel. The questions are usually about whether:
- The employees feel free to share opinions and ask questions.
- They fear harsh criticism, embarrassment, and judgments when they commit mistakes
- The employees have the willingness to undertake risks and challenges.
By using the Psychological Safety Tool and implementing the above-discussed methods, you can definitely build psychological safety in your workplace where each employee will thrive and grow.
