How to Create Psychological Safety in the Workplace

It’s no secret that being happy at work bolsters productivity. And the first key to happiness is feeling safe, comfortable enough to be who we are without feeling attacked.

Psychological safety at work isn’t a simple trend. This topic that remains largely misunderstood is essential: it creates a healthy work environment where employees can thrive and give their best.

This article will provide some great tips to help you create psychological safety in the Staying Safe in the Workplace. Read on!

Healthy Conflict

In any place where several humans gather for an extended period of time, conflicts are going to arise, that’s just human nature.

However, just because a conflict exists doesn’t mean it should be escalated. It’s important to create conditions where conflicts can find healthy resolutions.

In that respect, you want employees and coworkers to feel that you respect them and are actually considering their ideas rather than dismissing them out of hand.

Give Employees a Space to Express Themselves

To learn how to build psychological safety in teams, you should make your employees feel like they have channels to give feedback and launch conversations.

Avoid placing overly restrictive rules that deprive people of a voice. Employees who feel stifled will also have the impression that the workplace is hostile and tend to shy away from taking initiative.

Do Unto Others

To promote psychological safety at work, it is interesting to turn the famous golden rule on its head.

Instead of treating coworkers like you’d like to be treated, make an effort to adopt their viewpoints, and treat them as they’d rather be treated.

Psychological safety and diversity encourages us to consider the richness of human beings and empathize with others. You might find that employees smile more and bring a better attitude to work.

Trust

A key component of psychological safety is trust. Trust and respect go hand in hand: without trust, there can be no mutual respect, and the atmosphere might feel heavier, less conducive to new ideas, and high performance.

Trust is what makes teams gel together. Build trust through genuine communication and fulfilling promises, as well as giving your employees responsibilities if you think they can handle them.

Effectiveness Not Efficiency

In order to create a secure working environment, a leader shouldn’t simply view his employees as means to an end. It’s important to see beyond the bottom line.

Leadership is meant to eliminate threats to employees, which in turn frees them up and allows them to work on solutions within the organization, rather than being alienated.

Psychological Safety Isn’t Optional

Psychological safety in the workplace isn’t optional, it’s the foundation on which to build your company.

Psychological safety is about providing a safe space for employees to be themselves and in turn bring their best performance to the company.

To make your employees at home in your company, don’t make them feel like they have to walk on eggshells. Allow them to be themselves and recognize their value as human beings in respectful interactions.

Read more articles in our Business Tips section for great advice on how to run a company.