"Psychological safety is about creating an environment where people can speak up without fear of humiliation or punishment. It’s not about avoiding discomfort, but about protecting people from being silenced or mistreated."
"Calling something 'unsafe' can become a convenient way to avoid a conversation, dismiss feedback, or deflect accountability. When that happens, psychological safety isn't the problem; it becomes avoidance dressed up as safety."
"Leaders start to second-guess themselves, worrying about saying the wrong thing or being called a bully. This leads them to soften messages or let issues slide, which harms team performance."
Psychological safety is essential for high-performing teams, allowing individuals to speak up without fear. Misunderstandings about this concept can lead to avoidance of discomfort, which undermines accountability. True psychological safety protects against humiliation, not discomfort. When discomfort is misinterpreted as danger, it can shut down conversations and prevent constructive feedback. This mislabeling can cause leaders to hesitate in addressing issues, ultimately harming team dynamics and performance.
Read at Fast Company
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