Creating a Safe Space for Open Communication

Have you ever felt the need to bite your tongue at work, fearing that what you say could lead to punishment or humiliation? It’s a common scenario but one we need to change urgently for greater and healthier workplaces.  En español diríamos: te muerdes la lengua y te envenenas... de todo lo que tienes guardado y no has podido contar. #1:Understand What Psychological Safety Is Psychological safety, a concept introduced by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, is the belief that team members can take risks, express ideas and concerns, speak up with questions, and admit mistakes without fear of negative consequences. I became obsessed with it while working at Google and being a spokesperson about creating high performing teams. Remember, it’s not about being overly nice (I talked about toxic positivity last week) ; it’s about fostering authenticity and trust within the team. #2: Recognize Its Importance Psychological safety is crucial for sound decision-making, innovation, and operational efficiency. Why? Because when people feel safe, they engage more, share their creative ideas, and contribute to the team’s collective intelligence. Examples: - Imagine a team where members feel empowered to point out potential risks in a project. This openness can prevent costly errors and lead to better outcomes. - Think about a brainstorming session where no idea is too wild or far-fetched. This creates a breeding ground for groundbreaking innovations. #3: Implement Practical Steps to Foster Psychological Safety Creating a psychologically safe environment isn't a one-off task; it's an ongoing commitment. Some best practices I can recommend: - Encourage Open Communication: Make it clear that every voice matters. Regular feedback sessions and open-door policies can help. - Lead by Example: Show vulnerability as a leader. Admit your own mistakes and ask for feedback. It signals to your team that it’s okay to be human. This is the most difficult, I know. You might need your therapist to help you out. 😂 - Prioritize Employee Input: Actively seek and value your team’s input and suggestions. It demonstrates that their perspectives are essential for the company’s success. Now it’s your turn. Take these steps and start creating a safe space for your team to thrive. Let’s make it happen. What strategies have you used to foster psychological safety in your team? Share your experiences in the comments below! If you found this article helpful, don’t forget to like and share it with your network. #Leadership #TeamBuilding #PsychologicalSafety #WorkplaceCulture #Innovation

After my talk at the National Association of Neonatal Nurses (NANN) on cultivating compassion to enhance the NICU experience for all families, a nurse asked me a profound question. She wanted to know how to support a family who had been in the NICU for a long time and had grown tired, becoming more “challenging” or “difficult,” when in the beginning they were more “agreeable.” Immediately, her choice of words caught my attention. I had already shared how the language we use has power—it shapes how we think, speak, and act. I asked her to clarify what she meant by "difficult" and "agreeable." What specific behaviors had led the team to perceive the family this way? How had the communication with this family evolved from the start of their NICU journey? While it's true that heightened stress and emotions are common in the NICU, both for families and staff, we must be cautious about using labels like these. They can strain the relationship between families and staff, further isolating the family. It’s natural, in moments of frustration, to think “this family is being difficult,” especially when outcomes don’t match our expectations. But often, when a family is seen as "challenging" or "difficult," they are signaling a need for psychological safety. These families are frequently overwhelmed, anxious, or feeling powerless in an already stressful environment. Creating psychological safety in these moments is essential. It allows families to express their concerns without fear of judgment, building trust between them and the care team. As I shared with the nurses during my talk, families come to us with their own unique backgrounds- exposures, education, and experiences. Add to that information from other NICU families, their community, or what they’ve read online. All of this must be acknowledged. The key to building that connection is curiosity—asking questions to understand their perspective. This is how you can truly make a difference. As professionals, it's essential that we regularly practice emotional intelligence, effective communication, and empathy-driven compassion. These skills are intertwined, vital to our work, and can be continuously developed to foster meaningful connections and provide better support to those we serve. If you’re dealing with a complex case or want to improve your staff's ability to deliver compassionate, patient-centered care, feel free to send me a message. I’d love to provide a training session to support your team and elevate the care in your unit! 💚 #nicu #familycenteredcare #emotionalintelligence #compassion #nicubaby #nicujourney #nicuexperience #nicuparents #nicumom #addressingbiasinhealthcare #advocacy #communication #traumainformedcare #psychologicalsafety

As leaders, we have a powerful opportunity to shape our work environments and foster a culture of growth and innovation. One crucial aspect of creating a thriving workplace is ensuring psychological safety for our teams.🌟 Psychological safety is the belief that one can express their thoughts, ideas, and concerns without fear of negative consequences. It's the foundation upon which trust, collaboration, and high-performance teams are built. When individuals feel safe to take risks, share diverse perspectives, and learn from mistakes, remarkable things happen.✨ So, how can we as leaders cultivate psychological safety within our teams? Here are a few key strategies to consider: 1️⃣ Encourage open communication: Foster an environment where everyone feels encouraged to contribute their ideas and opinions. Actively listen, value diverse perspectives, and create opportunities for open dialogue. Embrace curiosity and ask questions that foster deeper understanding. 2️⃣ Embrace vulnerability: Lead by example and show vulnerability yourself. Share your own challenges, failures, and growth experiences. When you display authenticity, you inspire others to do the same. This creates an environment where mistakes are seen as opportunities for learning and improvement. 3️⃣ Celebrate diversity: Recognize and celebrate the unique strengths, backgrounds, and perspectives of your team members. Encourage collaboration and create spaces where everyone feels valued and included. Embrace differences and create opportunities for cross-pollination of ideas. 4️⃣ Foster a learning mindset: Encourage continuous learning and professional development. Create a safe space for experimentation and encourage your team to try new approaches without fear of failure. Encourage constructive feedback and provide support for growth and improvement. 5️⃣ Prioritize psychological safety in decision-making: Involve your team members in the decision-making process, seeking their input and ideas. Ensure that decisions are communicated transparently and that everyone understands the rationale behind them. This helps foster a sense of ownership and commitment. Let's build workplaces where individuals feel safe to take risks, share their thoughts, and contribute their unique talents. By prioritizing psychological safety, we not only create stronger teams, but also unlock the full potential of our organizations. 🚀 Join me in championing responsible leadership!!Together, we can empower our teams to thrive, innovate, and achieve remarkable success. 🌟🤝 #ResponsibleLeadership #PsychologicalSafety #BuildingStrongerTeams 🔽🔽🔽 📣 Share your experiences and insights on how you have fostered psychological safety in your teams. Let's learn from each other and create a positive impact on our work environments. Comment below and let's continue the conversation! 🗣️💬 Remember, responsible leadership begins with each one of us! 🌟🤝