Psychological Safety

• Psychological safety refers to the shared belief among members of a group that they can express themselves without fear of negative consequences such as embarrassment, rejection, or punishment. It is the sense of feeling safe to take risks, share one's thoughts and opinions, and make mistakes without fear of ridicule or negative repercussions.

• When people feel psychologically safe, they feel comfortable being themselves and are more likely to speak up, contribute, collaborate, and share innovative or creative ideas, leading to better performance and outcomes for the group or organization.

• Psychological safety is particularly important in environments where mistakes can have serious consequences, such as healthcare, aviation, and the military.

Sources

• Nemanick, R. C. (2022). Amy C. Edmondson. The fearless organization: Creating psychological safety in the workplace for learning, innovation, and growth. New Jersey: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2019, 256 pages, $17.49 hardcover. Personnel Psychology. https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12509