Psychological safety, defined as a shared belief that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking, is an essential component of creating a healthy workplace culture.
When employees feel comfortable expressing themselves, sharing ideas, and taking risks, they can improve their productivity, creativity, and overall well-being. Furthermore, research shows that fostering psychological safety can have a positive impact on an organization's bottom line.
According to a study by Google, psychological safety is the most important factor in building successful teams. Teams with higher levels of psychological safety have higher rates of dependability, structure and clarity, and meaning of work. Additionally, they are more likely to remain accountable and committed to their work. Furthermore, psychological safety fosters innovation, as employees are more likely to share ideas and collaborate with others in a supportive environment.
Creating a culture of psychological safety is not always easy, and it requires a commitment from leadership. One way to cultivate psychological safety is through systemic coaching, a type of coaching that focuses on the overall system, rather than just individual performance.
Systemic coaching can help leaders identify and address systemic issues that may be hindering psychological safety in the workplace.
Systemic coaching can help identify areas where employees feel unsafe, such as a lack of trust or clear communication channels, and help leaders find ways to address these issues.
For example, if employees feel that their contributions are not valued, a coach can work with leaders to create an environment where all opinions are heard and considered.
Moreover, systemic coaching can also help leaders identify any unconscious biases that may be present in the workplace. Unconscious biases can lead to employees feeling marginalized or undervalued, hindering their ability to feel psychologically safe. Systemic coaching can help leaders understand and address these biases, creating a more inclusive workplace culture.
Investing in creating a psychologically safe workplace culture can have a positive impact on an organization's bottom line. According to a study by Gallup, companies with highly engaged employees outperform their competitors by 147% in earnings per share.
Furthermore, employees in highly engaged workplaces take fewer sick days and are less likely to leave the organization, reducing costs associated with turnover and absenteeism.
In conclusion, fostering psychological safety in the workplace can have a positive impact on an organization's culture, creativity, and productivity.
Systemic coaching can help leaders identify and address systemic issues that may be hindering psychological safety, creating a healthier workplace culture with great ROI. As organizations continue to prioritize employee well-being, creating a psychologically safe environment should be a top priority.
