Psychological safety in the workplace: Building teams that thrive

Psychological safety in the workplace: Building teams that thrive

Imagine a workplace where ideas flow freely, mistakes are met with curiosity instead of criticism and every team member thrives on feeling valued.

Sounds like a fluffy utopia, right? But it's not. It's called psychological safety. This concept, highlighted by Google's Project Aristotle, has been proven to fuel high-performing teams by creating an environment where people can speak up, share ideas and take risks without fear.

To enhance team performance and innovation, creating a psychologically safe space for your team to a) be human and b) perform their roles, is the way to go. So, let's dive in.

What is psychological safety?

Psychological safety makes employees feel confident asking for help or sharing an idea — without worrying about judgement or repercussions. Google's Project Aristotle revealed that psychological safety is the single most important factor in effective teamwork.

Without it, even the most skilled and experienced individuals struggle to collaborate. With it, teams become innovative powerhouses. It's about creating an environment where mistakes are learning opportunities, not liabilities.

Creating a culture of trust

Trust isn't as easy as "pass go and collect $200." But it is essential for psychological safety. Show transparency by explaining the "why" behind decisions, especially the tough ones. When people understand the bigger picture, they're more likely to trust the process — and you.

Consistency is equally important. Follow through on your commitments and hold everyone accountable to the same standards. Trust grows when actions match words.

Finally, prioritise open communication. Schedule regular one-on-ones and team check-ins. Ask open-ended questions and show genuine interest in your team's feedback.

Encouraging constructive risk-taking

Innovation requires risk, but people won't take risks if they fear failure. Your role is to make risk-taking feel safe.

Mistakes are normal, so normalise them. Instead of focusing solely on outcomes, celebrate effort and experimentation. Highlight what worked and address what didn't to shift the narrative from "failure" to "growth."

Emphasise that no suggestion is too wild or unpolished. By framing risk as a pathway to discovery, you'll create a culture where innovation thrives.

Addressing workplace anxiety

Workplace anxiety often goes unnoticed but its impact is profound, stifling creativity, silencing voices and dampening morale. As a leader, it's your job to tackle this head-on.

You may not be surprised to learn that 59% of employees in unhealthy Australian workplaces observed depression or anxiety among colleagues. But get this: even in healthy workplaces, the number sits at 39%.

To shift the trend, start by being approachable. Share your own challenges to normalise vulnerability. For example, I used to feel nervous about presenting. What helped me was practising with a trusted colleague — and I don't hold back on sharing that with my team.

If a team member withdraws in meetings or hesitates to take on new tasks, it could be anxiety. Create a safe space for private conversations where they can share their concerns and provide resources, such as mental health support or stress management workshops.

Promoting inclusive leadership

Inclusive leadership is the key to unlocking diverse perspectives, so actively seek input from quieter team members.

Recognise your decision-making biases and address them. We all have unconscious biases, but acknowledging them is the first step to creating a fair and equitable environment. Then, take it one step further and celebrate diversity. Highlight the unique strengths and contributions of your team members — these are a competitive advantage that drives better decisions and more innovative solutions.

Build psychological safety in your workplace

Psychological safety transforms teams from good to extraordinary. It creates trust, empowers bold thinking and fosters a space where everyone can thrive.

If you're ready to take your team to the next level, explore our Psychological Safety course. Learn how to build a workplace where trust and innovation go hand in hand — when people feel safe, they do their best work.


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