HBR IdeaCast

Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Jan 22, 2019

Amy Edmondson, professor at Harvard Business School, discusses creating psychological safety in the workplace. She emphasizes the importance of trust, candid feedback, and learning from mistakes. The podcast explores the rarity of psychological safety, using examples from Pixar, and how leaders can create a fearless organization for growth and innovation.

26:48

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Episode guests

Amy Edmondson

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Quick takeaways

Psychological safety is crucial for team and organizational performance, allowing for open communication and learning from mistakes.

The absence of psychological safety can lead to disastrous consequences, as highlighted by the Wells Fargo scandal, emphasizing the importance of fostering a culture of openness and trust.

Deep dives

Psychological Safety in Teams and Organizations

Psychological safety, the ability to speak up and take risks without fear of negative consequences, is crucial for team and organizational performance. Research by Amy Edmondson shows that the most cohesive teams are not necessarily the ones with fewer mistakes, but rather the ones that are more able and willing to talk about and learn from their mistakes. Creating psychological safety in the workplace is rare but can be a competitive advantage. It requires leaders to set the stage, invite engagement, and respond productively to create an environment where employees feel safe to express their ideas, concerns, and ask for help. Psychological safety is not just a US phenomenon; it is essential for excellence in any organization worldwide.

Introduction

2min

Psychological Safety in the Workplace

5min

Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace

4min

Creating a Fearless Organization: Three Key Activities for Leaders

2min

Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace

14min

Exploring Psychological Safety in the Workplace

2min

Amy Edmondson, professor at Harvard Business School, first identified the concept of psychological safety in work teams in 1999. Since then, she has observed how companies with a trusting workplace perform better. Psychological safety isn't about being nice, she says. It’s about giving candid feedback, openly admitting mistakes, and learning from each other. And she argues that kind of organizational culture is increasingly important in the modern economy. Edmondson is the author of the new book "The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth.”

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HBR IdeaCast

Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Psychological Safety in Teams and Organizations

Wells Fargo and the Consequences of Absence of Psychological Safety

Pixar and the Power of Psychological Safety

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts