Stop telling your people to be psychologically safe!
We now know that psychological safety drives good business metrics and brand longevity. It is such an imperative for strong anti-toxic cultures; we are one step away from having it tattooed on our Executive Leaders forearms.
However, there is a difference between knowing it is key and doing the work that is required to make it so. We all need to do work on this, all the time. We are never done.
One of my clients, a very lovely and kind CEO, has allowed me to share this story of his. The first time he asked me to come in and do a Deep Dive with the Executive team, he was intent on raising the safety in the team. “I just don’t know why they are all so BLOODY FRIGHTENED OF ME!!!!!”, he bellowed at the top of his voice, while throwing his chair back to stand and bang his fist on the polished mahogany table. While this is an obvious mismatch between desire and awareness, there are many I see and experience every day.
Insight into what we do to bring or take away safety from others is important, and while we often see what others need to do, I think we could all do with a little more awareness of what we can do to raise our own, and each others’ safety.
Telling people to be psychologically safe won’t make it so. We all need to do deep work to create safety. Self-leadership is the starting point to psychological safety, and that is why it is the first step in The Safe Space program.
To find out more about The Safe Space program and how it is helping create interpersonal safety to protect cultures from toxicity while building collective intelligence, please contact Amy on support@DrAmySilver.com
As ever, I'd love to hear your thoughts on this.
Amy
Amy helps teams use the psychology of groups to their advantage. Her programs drive connection, communication and courage for remarkable achievements. Please see The Safe Space and DrAmySilver.com