It was like listening to the sound of a depth charge drop all the way to the bottom of the ocean. Silence. One of the core jobs of a leader is to create safety I’d said.
Psychological safety. Without it people hold back from bringing their gifts and talents, mistakes are hidden and learning doesn’t happen.
It doesn’t mean creating the cosy club or trading ambition and accountability for the comfort zone. To the contrary. Done well, psychologically safe places enhance performance.
I’m particularly interested in how leaders do this from the inside out.
Inside, how are you with your own fallibility?
How do you react when a mistake has been made?
How present are you? Listening to explain, or to understand? Monkey mind, or paying attention?
Genuinely curious, or curious only to see what ideas align with yours?
Clear on your purpose and how it enlivens you and your team?
How do you work with your own biases?
How does ‘No’ sit with you on the inside? Do you want to listen?
Do you ask ‘What do I need to learn from this team? And, perhaps the biggest of all, are you willing to be seen in that?
One of our deepest human needs is for safety and it’s easier to create for others if we experience our psychological safety.
What would you add?
