Do you feel psychologically safe at work? Read on to find out what that means, then tell me in the comments.
When you start a new job, do you believe you’re supposed to know what you’re doing right from the start? I mean, even for experienced Managers, there are always the first few months where they learn how to integrate in their new environment. At least, that’s what I think.
Being in a work environment where learning is encouraged and seen as a strength rather than a weakness, a place where being vulnerable is a superpower, and a work environment that allows team members to be psychologically safe; is the best environment anyone can work in.
My friend Akua talks a lot about leadership and how leaders can be more empathetic while building their enterprises or leading their teams. Empathy is an often underestimated trait of a great leader. Forbes posts a quote everyday that sometimes highlights what good leaders are expected to do.
If you own an enterprise or are planning on building one, learn how to extend empathy even in the toughest times. It will not only help you and your team members come to understand each other better but also ensure a psychologically safe environment for all. The rapid growth and success will surprise you later.
I’ve mentioned “psychological safety” a couple of times, and someone might be asking what that is.
Have you ever felt afraid to tell your colleague or your boss, “I don’t know”, or “I’m not sure how that works”, or even “I made a mistake”? Not being able to be completely honest about what’s happening at work may be a sign of feeling psychologically unsafe. It can lead to a mental breakdown.
Such an environment only breeds more and more mistakes, chaos and distressed individuals.
I have been in both spaces, so I can confirm that a psychologically safe environment helps keep the individual sane and mentally stable, able to progress steadily and sometimes even willing to surpass their limits in helping achieve the organisation’s goals.
So the next time you notice your teammate or employee showing signs of demotivation, instead of assuming they are just not interested in the job anymore, find out what could be bothering them – show empathy. That’s the first step to building a team that communicates well and works towards the same goal.