Tips for getting started with psychological safety

Knowing where to start with psychological safety can be tricky, that’s why we’ve put together these tips which cover some essential dos and don’ts.

Do...

…create an environment where everyone feels valued and that their voice matters.

…force all team members to voice an opinion.

…respond to suggestions with respect, honesty and transparency.

…feel that you have to accept every suggestion made in order to retain a psychologically safe environment.

…acknowledge mistakes when they are made, and use them as opportunities to improve care.

…ignore or cover up mistakes, or use them as an excuse to punish staff.

…encourage innovation and creativity as ways of improving how things are done.

…overlook the importance of essential tasks in a drive for creativity.

…keep in mind that psychological safety is an outcome of good wellbeing and a well-functioning team.

…consider psychological safety to be something separate from staff wellbeing.

…remember that you can create a psychologically safe environment through your words and actions, without giving yourself additional work.

…look at psychological safety as an extra responsibility, tick-box exercise or additional task to be completed.