How to Begin to Create a Psychologically Safe Workplace
A psychologically safe workplace helps promote trust, collaboration, and creativity, which leads to increased productivity and employee engagement. People who feel safe emotionally – where there is trust, respect, and loyalty, will, in turn, be team members who can relax more from self-protection and do their work with focus and commitment.
Here are some practical ways to create a psychologically safe workplace
Encourage open communication
One of the most important things a manager or supervisor can do is to encourage open communication between employees. This means setting a tone of respect and listening to others’ opinions without interrupting or belittling them. Employees should feel comfortable speaking up when they have something to say and know that their opinions are valued.
Lead by example
Managers and supervisors should lead by example when it comes to creating a healthy and safe workplace. They should be transparent in their communication and encourage feedback from their team members. They should also be willing to admit when they’ve made a mistake and take responsibility for it.
Provide clear expectations
Clarity is critical when it comes to creating a mentally healthy and safe workplace. Employees should know what’s expected of them and feel confident in their ability to meet those expectations. This includes providing clear instructions, goals, and deadlines.
