Embracing Differences Why don’t workers speak up? A conversation with Amy Edmondson
Apr 13, 2021
In an insightful conversation, Amy Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership at Harvard Business School, examines the complexities of psychological safety in the workplace. She challenges the simplistic narrative that fear of abusive bosses is the main reason employees stay silent. Amy delves into issues of trust and competence, using case studies like the Costa Concordia disaster to illustrate how systemic problems and hierarchical structures hinder open communication. Her perspective reveals the deeper reasons behind worker silence, emphasizing the need for an environment that fosters transparency and learning.
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Cab Driver and Psychological Safety
- Nipin Anand shares a story about a London cab driver who felt unsafe due to Brexit.
- This highlights how the term "psychological safety" is used broadly, sometimes without full understanding.
Overuse of Psychological Safety
- Certain concepts become so pervasive that they're used without critical thought.
- The overuse of "psychological safety" can hinder deeper understanding of workplace issues.
Docile Employee Narrative
- The narrative of a "docile employee terrified to speak up" is sometimes overused.
- This can mask deeper systemic issues related to trust and competence.