How to create Psychological Safety

  • Author: Ryan Jenkins
Reading time: 2 min
  • Word Count: 365
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

Was this article helpful?

Further articles you may enjoy:

  • (13)

LGBTQ History Month 2024 in the USA is a powerful time of celebration, reflection, and advocacy, honoring the achievements and struggles of the LGBTQ+ community. Held annually in October, it offers an opportunity for individuals and organizations to recognize the progress made in LGBTQ+ rights and visibility, as well as acknowledge the ongoing challenges faced […]

  • October 14, 2024
  • (13)

Can a Business Learn from a Keynote Sales Speaker in today’s competitive business environment, staying ahead of market trends and customer behavior is no longer optional it’s essential. That’s where a keynote sales speaker can become a game-changer for your organization. These professionals don’t just inspire they deliver real-world strategies, tested insights, and powerful motivation […]

  • November 19, 2025
  • (8)

How your company’s career page is deterring candidates from applying. Every employee at your company can make or break a customer’s experience. That’s why it’s so important to ensure employees not only understand your company’s story, but also how they fit into it. Why does your company exist? Is there alignment between your stated mission, vision, and […]

  • December 21, 2022
  • (3)

Unlocking Event Success: The Power of Speakers Inc Mobile App for Keynote Speakers, Event Emcees, and Entertainers Organizing a successful event requires meticulous planning, and one crucial aspect is securing the right keynote speakers, event emcees, and entertainers who can captivate the audience. In the digital age, where efficiency is key, mobile apps have emerged […]

  • January 29, 2024
  • (3)

BEING MINDFUL OF MINDSETS and The Power of a Growth Mindset by Grant Driver In July 2019, I experienced one of the most significant and yet most daunting moments of my career as a professional speaker.  I had been invited by Discovery Healthcare to present a 3-hour workshop to thirty Neurosurgeons on my research into […]

  • January 23, 2023
  • (35)

Diversity training is valuable for increasing inclusion and fostering a more positive work environment. But not all diversity training is created equal. In order to be effective, diversity training should include certain key elements that can benefit your participants and your organization as a whole. For example, many organizations focus exclusively on race or ethnicity […]

  • January 10, 2023
  • (21)

Unleashing Inspiration: Ohio Top Motivational Speakers and the Power of Booking Them for Conferences Introduction: In the heartland of America lies a state brimming with innovation, resilience, and a spirit that refuses to be subdued – Ohio. As businesses, organizations, and communities across the state strive for excellence, the need for motivation and inspiration becomes […]

  • February 23, 2024
  • (37)

Speakers Inc. Now Offering Blinkist Speaker Books Through Their Website Marketplace In an era where the consumption of information is rapidly evolving, staying informed and continuously learning has never been more critical. Speakers Inc., a leading speaker bureau with over 25 years of experience in the industry, has always been at the forefront of connecting […]

  • June 13, 2024

Subscribe to our Newsletter and get connected:

Your subscription could not be saved. Please try again.
Your subscription has been successful.

Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter and stay updated.

We use Brevo as our marketing platform. By submitting this form you agree that the personal data you provided will be transferred to Brevo for processing in accordance with Brevo's Privacy Policy.

Our Mission:

We are your partner creating memorable and engaging experiences that go beyond the event itself.

© All rights reserved 2025.  Designed using Voxel

Speakers Inc Logo 2024
Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.