201b reading notes Psychological Safety - carlosjorr/reading-notes GitHub Wiki

Psychological Safety

What are three key factors that contribute to psychologically safe teams?

Three key factors that contribute to psychologically safe teams are:

Trust: Trust is a crucial factor in establishing psychological safety within a team. When team members trust each other, they feel comfortable expressing their ideas, concerns, and mistakes without fearing judgment or negative consequences. Trust fosters an environment where individuals can take risks, be vulnerable, and collaborate openly.

Respectful Communication: Teams with psychological safety encourage respectful communication among members. Respectful communication entails actively listening to others, valuing diverse perspectives, and treating everyone's opinions with consideration. In such an environment, individuals feel heard and understood, leading to increased engagement and the freedom to share their thoughts without the fear of being belittled or criticized.

Supportive Environment: Psychological safety is nurtured in teams that offer support to their members. This support can come in various forms, such as providing constructive feedback, offering assistance when needed, and celebrating achievements. When team members know they have the backing of their colleagues and leaders, they are more likely to take risks, share innovative ideas, and contribute their best efforts.

Evaluate, with details, a previous professional setting (or team) you were in with regards to psychological safety.

In a previous team I was a part of, the atmosphere was characterized by high psychological safety. Trust was cultivated through team-building activities, open and transparent communication, and shared accountability. We had regular team meetings where everyone was encouraged to speak up, ask questions, and challenge ideas without fear of retribution. The team leaders fostered an environment where mistakes were viewed as learning opportunities, and feedback was given constructively and respectfully.

Respectful communication was a fundamental aspect of the team's dynamics. Active listening was practiced, and everyone's ideas were valued and considered. There was a genuine effort to understand different perspectives, and disagreements were addressed with respect and a focus on finding common ground. This open dialogue created an environment where individuals felt safe expressing their opinions and taking risks without the fear of being judged or ridiculed.

The team also provided strong support to its members. We had regular one-on-one meetings with our team leaders, where we could discuss our challenges, goals, and professional development. Constructive feedback was provided in a timely manner, highlighting strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, team members willingly assisted each other when needed, sharing knowledge, resources, and expertise.

What impact do teams that operate with a high degree of psychological safety have on their company and the team members?

Teams that operate with a high degree of psychological safety have several positive impacts on both the company and the team members. Firstly, they foster innovation and creativity by encouraging individuals to share their ideas and take risks without the fear of failure. This leads to increased problem-solving capabilities and the generation of novel solutions.

Secondly, teams with high psychological safety experience improved collaboration and teamwork. When team members feel safe to express themselves, they are more likely to collaborate openly, share information, and work together effectively. This results in higher productivity, better decision-making, and stronger team cohesion.