Timothy R. Clark, author of The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety, joins the hosts to explore the transformative power of inclusion in teams. They discuss the historical roots of psychological safety and its critical role in driving innovation. Clark emphasizes the importance of vulnerability in leadership, critiquing the disconnect between leaders' intentions and actual workplace cultures. Practical strategies for fostering inclusion safety and enhancing team dynamics through gratitude and acknowledgment are shared, making for an insightful dialogue on building more inclusive environments.
Psychological safety, especially inclusion safety, is essential for fostering teamwork and collaboration by allowing individuals to feel accepted and authentic.
Leaders must actively model vulnerability and encourage behaviors like sharing personal stories to create an atmosphere of trust and inclusion among teams.
Deep dives
The Origin of Psychological Safety
Psychological safety, a term popularized in recent years, traces its origins back to a 1955 paper by psychologist Carl Rogers, who introduced the concept in the context of therapist-client relationships. Over time, the understanding of psychological safety has evolved, and it is now recognized as essential for high-performing teams and organizations. Unlike misconceptions that suggest it is a soft topic, psychological safety is fundamentally linked to performance, accountability, and innovation. Leaders aiming to foster a culture of psychological safety must clarify its true meaning to navigate the diverse interpretations present in various organizational contexts.
Understanding Inclusion Safety
Inclusion safety is the first stage of psychological safety, emphasizing the basic human need to be accepted and to belong. It allows individuals to be their authentic selves without the fear of withdrawal or negative repercussions. This environment of inclusion is crucial for fostering teamwork and collaboration, laying the foundation for effective human interaction. To foster inclusion safety, leaders must enhance the perception of humanity over demographic characteristics, thereby cultivating an atmosphere where everyone feels they belong.
The Mechanism of Vulnerability and Reward
Psychological safety operates on the premise of rewarded vulnerability, where individuals feel safe to express themselves without fear of punishment. When vulnerability is encouraged and rewarded, it activates positive neurological responses, fostering creativity and innovation. Conversely, environments that punish vulnerability can lead to self-censorship and defensive behaviors, ultimately stifling innovation and collaborative efforts. Leaders play a pivotal role in modeling vulnerability, as their willingness to express uncertainty sets a tone for others to feel similarly safe to engage openly.
Moving From Theory to Practice
To enhance inclusion safety, actionable behaviors such as sharing personal stories and expressing gratitude are paramount. These practices not only promote vulnerability but also build rapport and trust among team members, creating a more inclusive environment. Furthermore, leaders are encouraged to actively listen and prioritize asking questions over speaking, ensuring that everyone feels heard and valued. By embedding these behaviors into daily practices, organizations can transition from theoretical discussions of psychological safety to meaningful and impactful cultural transformation.
This episode is the first in a four-part series on How to Build The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety. Listen in as hosts Junior and Timothy R. Clark, author of The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety book, share in-depth insights into the thinking behind the 4 Stages framework. The episode covers the history behind psychological safety as a concept, what psychological safety is not, where vulnerability fits into the equation, and how to activate the power of diversity through inclusion. As always, they also share 3 practical ways to create inclusion safety on your teams.
To see the slides and host annotations for the episode, watch it on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zDDBkfA0BFk
Or download the resources from the episode here: https://www.leaderfactor.com/resources/how-to-build-the-4-stages-of-psychological-safety
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