KNOWLEDGE HUB

Psychological safety is an important element for the success of any association. It is the feeling of being respected and valued in a working environment, and the assurance that it is safe to take risks and express one’s thoughts and ideas without fear of judgment, failure, or retribution. For an association to thrive, it needs a culture of psychological safety that provides the right environment for collaboration and innovation. Psychological safety is essential for successful teams and organizations, and it should be a priority for all associations. By providing a supportive atmosphere that encourages open dialogue and risk-taking, associations can foster an environment of trust and collaboration, leading to greater productivity and organizational success.

What is psychological safety?

Psychological safety is defined as a sense of confidence that’s inspired by a leader and/or the team members. It means you feel safe to share mistakes and failures without fear of consequences and you feel safe to disagree or ask questions without feeling like you might be judged. A psychologically safe environment is essential to high-performing teams, and it can have a positive impact on all aspects of organizational life, including employee engagement, productivity, innovation, and retention. To create an environment of psychological safety, associations must foster an atmosphere of trust and collaboration.

Benefits of psychological safety

Improved engagement: Psychological safety promotes constructive risk-taking and open dialogue, resulting in increased creativity and productivity. When individuals feel safe, they are more likely to bring their whole selves to work and be more engaged in their work and the organization.

Improved innovation: To come up with new ideas and solutions, individuals must feel safe to try new things and take risks. In a psychologically safe environment, individuals feel comfortable taking these risks and learning from them.

Improved relationships: Psychological safety allows for open, honest communication, which can reduce conflict and improve relationships among team members and with other stakeholders.

Improved retention: An organization with a strong culture of psychological safety can reduce turnover and have a competitive advantage in the job market.

More inclusive culture: Psychological safety can help to create a culture of inclusiveness and diversity, allowing everyone to feel welcome and valued.

Strategies for creating a psychologically safe environment

Set ground rules: Establishing a code of conduct, or a set of rules, can help to create a psychologically safe environment by setting expectations and boundaries. Rules should be clear and focused on promoting a positive team culture and improving collaboration, such as what type of language and communication is expected in meetings, how to treat each other respectfully, how to handle conflict, etc.

Create a culture of learning: Promote a culture of learning and constructive feedback by creating an environment where individuals feel safe to try new things and make mistakes. This can be achieved by encouraging a feedback culture and creating a safe space for open dialogue, where participants feel comfortable sharing both positive and negative feedback.

Be transparent and authentic: Create a culture of transparency and authenticity by sharing information openly with others, especially information that might normally be kept in private, like financial information or the association’s goals and progress. Doing so can foster trust, engagement, and collaboration, while helping to solve problems quickly and effectively.

Foster a team environment: Create an environment where team members feel connected and invested in each other’s success by practicing empathy and encouraging collaboration.

The role of leaders in creating a psychologically safe environment

By understanding how to create a psychologically safe environment and promoting a culture of psychological safety, association leaders can have a significant impact on fostering a positive and productive team culture. To create this environment, leaders need to:
1. Be transparent about their own plans, goals, and expectations for the team and organization, as well as about any challenges the organization may be facing.
2. Make yourself approachable to your team members by setting clear expectations for how you would like to be contacted and making yourself available to listen to any concerns they may have.
3. Create a safe space for open dialogue and feedback by setting expectations and creating a culture of constructive feedback.
4. Be empathetic towards team members and their situations, while also holding high expectations for performance.

Conclusion

Creating a psychologically safe environment can have significant benefits for associations. It requires creating a culture of trust and collaboration, where team members feel safe to express their ideas and take risks without fear of judgment. By promoting psychological safety, associations can foster an environment of open dialogue and constructive feedback, leading to greater productivity and organizational success.