Employees naturally want to feel “psychologically safe” when they express emotions, air complaints, or make suggestions. You know your workplace is psychologically safe when employees take interpersonal risks when communicating with team members and up the chain of command.
The opportunity to embed a true culture of learning and safety is impaired when ideas and information are suppressed. People who want to maintain group harmony at all costs or who fear being ignored, mocked, reprimanded, or even fired for pointing out unsafe conditions aren’t likely to speak up. Who wants to climb out on the proverbial limb while others are vigorously sawing at its base?