How to create Psychological Safety
- Author: Ryan Jenkins
Read the news article
Here are six ways to create psychological safety to re-engage and reassure today’s anxious, disengaged and lonely workforce.
Teams can be lonely places. People can feel vulnerable and exposed if they believe their teammates don’t support their ideas or appreciate their work. These interpersonal struggles intensify for remote workers who lack the support of a nodding ally across the table.
Amid the increased importance of workplace equality and allyship and the growing loneliness and isolation among virtual teams, it’s never been more critical that leaders create psychological safety among their teams.
Workers who feel that they can freely raise concerns, questions and ideas without repercussion are benefiting from psychological safety. Psychological safety pays off in increased creativity, trust and productivity among a team and is the single most important quality that determines a team’s success.
Here are six ways leaders can create psychological safety for their teams.
Psychological Safety
1. Listen to understand
Active listening is a hallmark trait of psychological safety. Too often leaders selectively listen for information that reinforces their view or strengthens their argument.
2. Speak last
When leaders share their thoughts about a topic and then ask for the team’s opinion, it’s too late.
3. Identify blind spots together
When leaders invite others into helping identify blind spots, it’s an admission to not having all the answers.
4. Productively address problems
Instead of blaming or expressing frustration when a team member brings up a problem, instead be appreciative of their insight and dedication to solving the problem.
5. Connect contributions to value
Humans have an innate desire for their contributions to be valued by the community. For centuries humans have found safety in numbers.
6. Switch video on and off
Seeing people’s faces during a video call can create engagement and provide helpful visual cues and non-verbal agreement.
Article written by Ryan Jenkins a Millennial generational speaker
However, it’s challenging for leaders to create psychological safety, because by virtue of their role they have power, and power is a barrier to psychological safety. In order to counterbalance the weight of their powerful role, leaders have to go out of their way to intentionally and strategically build psychological safety.
Speaker Listing
Further articles you may enjoy:
- (5)
Speakers Inc is available to offer you our Global Impact Speakers and Inspiring Motivational keynote speakers to open or close your next leadership and Innovation event or conference. Speakers Inc is a leading Global Impact Speakers Bureau for motivational speakers that delivers keynotes over 300 times per year. Global Impact Speakers is available to bring […]
- January 25, 2023
- (7)
I’m coming to you from 30,000 feet, on my way to join my friend Jeff Glover for the Live Unreal Retreat in Traverse City, Michigan. I can’t wait to see some familiar faces and meet more amazing real estate agents after my Customer lesson learned. You know when someone references how long ago something happened […]
- December 22, 2022
- (14)
Michelle “Mace” Curran: From Fighter Pilot to Fearless Keynote Speaker Soaring Beyond Limits In the heart of Las Vegas, where boldness meets brilliance, one keynote speaker is redefining the art of motivation and leadership. Michelle Mace Curran is not just an accomplished pilot; she’s a powerhouse of purpose, a woman who has shattered ceilings—literally and […]
- April 15, 2025
- (4)
Embracing Digital Leadership: The Journey of Erik Qualman, aka “Equalman” Erik Qualman, widely recognized as “Equalman,” stands as a beacon of digital leadership and transformation. His work, which spans keynote speaking, bestselling authorship, and digital expertise, has profoundly influenced the realms of social media and digital transformation. Equalman’s journey is a testament to the power […]
- July 12, 2024
- (3)
Solly Moeng is an experienced professional Political journalist and Branding Speaker with a career that has seen him manage a variety of branding projects in various sectors and in countries spanning several continents. He is an established independent media professional with specialisation in Reputation Management, Stakeholder Engagement Strategies, Strategic Internal & External Communications, PR and […]
- December 20, 2022
- (7)
A Guide to Becoming and mastering the art of Speaking. Public speaking is an art form that, when mastered, can open doors to limitless opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring keynote speaker or looking to enhance your communication skills, the journey to becoming a professional public speaker involves dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to connecting […]
- November 14, 2023
- (1)
Go ahead and search ‘happy employees lead to successful companies’ and you will be bombarded with consistent uplifting messages about employees and happiness (LinkedIn, Fast Company, Business Insider, Fortune). Just about every content piece promotes employee happiness benefiting organizations at large. That is why, contrary to consistent media, I couldn’t believe that Phil Rosenzweig in The Halo Effect completely disagreed. With the […]
- December 13, 2022
- (7)
Speakers Inc in November 2025 brings you our Top AI Keynote Speakers where artificial intelligence is no longer a distant concept but a business reality, organisations are asking far more than “what is AI”. The real questions now are: How will AI reshape our industry? What skills will our workforce need? How do we innovate ethically and […]
- October 20, 2025