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Meikles & Dimes

144: Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson on Psychological Safety | Noticing When the Dog Doesn’t Bark but Should Have

Jun 17, 2024
Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor and expert on psychological safety, shares fascinating insights into team dynamics and leadership. She reveals how better teamwork correlates with higher error reporting, challenging common perceptions. The discussion highlights the importance of addressing dissenting views, emphasizing that psychological safety isn't about comfort, but rather embracing the discomfort that comes with honesty. Through engaging analogies, Amy underscores the need for open communication to unlock hidden insights in teams.
13:52

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Quick takeaways

  • Research revealed that better teamwork coincides with higher error reporting, emphasizing the importance of open communication for organizational learning.
  • Psychological safety is not about comfort but enduring discomfort to foster honesty, crucial for addressing challenges and driving innovation.

Deep dives

The Accidental Discovery of Psychological Safety

The concept of psychological safety emerged from an unexpected correlation found during research on medication errors in hospital teams. Initially, the research indicated that better teamwork was linked to higher error rates, which perplexed the researchers. However, the breakthrough came when it was recognized that effective teams reported more errors due to their willingness to communicate honestly, rather than actually making more mistakes. This realization highlighted the importance of an environment where team members feel safe to share their mistakes and contribute to learning without fear of retribution.

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