As I started my work at the office on a typical Monday morning, I was met with the sight of over 100 unread emails, and I felt my heart sink. I dived into them one by one, but I couldn't shake off the feeling of hopelessness and anxiety. Eventually, I found myself shaking and staring blankly at my computer screen. That's when I knew I needed a break.

I stood up and went outside for a 15-minute walk. The sun shone brightly in the clear sky, and with each step, I took, I felt my anxiety dissipate, replaced by a sense of calm and renewed energy. Upon returning to the office, I was ready to tackle the seemingly insurmountable pile of emails – feeling much more focused than before. 

Later that week, I was asked to attend an evaluation meeting. While my work quality wasn't in question, I was told that leaving the office during work hours 'was not appropriate' and that I had set a 'bad example for the other employees'. When trying to explain why I needed a break, my concerns were quickly dismissed. The underlying message was clear – this is a start-up environment, and we are expected to work hard, no excuses.

I left that meeting feeling ashamed, hesitant to take breaks and speak up when I needed support from my colleagues.

What is Psychological Safety?

Psychological safety refers to "the sense of being able to show and employ one's self without fear of negative consequences to self-image, status, or career." Or in simpler terms, it's when employees feel safe, relaxed, and comfortable in their own skin. The exact opposite of what I had felt during my evaluation meeting.

Why is Psychological Safety Important?

Reduces Stress and Anxiety

In my experience, a 15-minute break serves as a coping mechanism for handling workplace challenges, which helps to alleviate stress and anxiety. Encouraging colleagues to ask for help when feeling overwhelmed, express their concerns, and practice their preferred coping mechanisms (without fear of punishment or humiliation) significantly boosts mental health.

Encourages Open Communication

An environment where people feel comfortable sharing their thoughts and ideas is extremely valuable in the modern business landscape. It allows for better team collaboration, increased innovation, and a greater sense of camaraderie.

Imagine a team meeting where a project manager is presenting a flawed strategy that could lead to costly mistakes. An employee notices the flaw but is too afraid to speak up. As a result, the project moves forward, and mistakes happen, resulting in lost revenue and damage to the company's reputation. If the employee had felt psychologically safe to speak up, the team could have avoided the mistakes and the negative consequences that followed.

In my case, I was too afraid to say anything about the fact that I was experiencing burnout. I suffered in silence, and it didn't take long until I gave in my notice. It felt like my only option at the time, but in reality, there are many things that companies can do to support employees who are experiencing burnout. The challenge, however, is that team leaders cannot help if they don't know an employee is struggling. That's why it's so important for employees to speak up and for managers to create a safe environment. If employers are unaware of the problem, they may be left wondering why a once-motivated employee has suddenly quit after only a few months on the job.

If employers are unaware of the problem, they may be left wondering why a once-motivated employee has suddenly quit after only a few months on the job.

Improves Job Satisfaction and Retention

Feeling controlled, undervalued, or afraid can make anyone feel demoralised in the workplace. No one wants to feel like they're less important than their colleagues or that their voice doesn't matter. It's important for employees to have some degree of control over their work, and express their ideas even on projects that may be above their current pay grade.

How to Foster Psychological Safety at Work

Lead by example

All of us are responsible for shaping our team environment. By modeling desired behaviors – sharing personal experiences and struggles – we encourage others to follow suit.

For example, we could open up about a time when we made a mistake on a project, sharing the lessons we learned and how we grew from the experience. This openness and vulnerability create an atmosphere where others feel comfortable discussing their challenges and growth opportunities.

Encourage open communication

Fostering open communication means actively listening, asking questions, and valuing diverse perspectives.

For instance, we could ask our team leader to schedule regular team meetings where everyone has the opportunity to discuss ongoing projects and address any issues or obstacles that might arise. 

Empower your colleagues

If the opportunity arises, grant your colleagues the freedom to make decisions and take ownership of some parts of the project. Encouraging autonomy cultivates a sense of trust and respect, allowing people to reach their full potential while promoting innovation and creativity.

For example, a supervisor could delegate some of the decision-making authority for a project to a team member, trusting them to make choices that align with the team's objectives. This empowers the employee, supports personal growth, and promotes a sense of pride.

Support mental health

Creating a workplace that values and supports the mental health of its employees is crucial for fostering psychological safety. It’s important to offer resources, encourage self-care, and prioritise work-life balance.

Employees and managers can proactively look for signs of burnout among their team members and privately reach out to those who show symptoms. Learn more about how to spot the signs of burnout in your team.

Employers can also collect company-wide wellbeing data, such as employee satisfaction surveys and mental health assessment scores, to build a healthier culture through policies and HR practices. 

Final Thoughts

In today's fast-paced environment, the pressure to meet deadlines, achieve goals, and maintain performance can be overwhelming. However, employees need to feel safe, comfortable, and supported to be productive and engaged. Otherwise, they may become passive and keep their thoughts and ideas to themselves. Some may even experience burnout and suffer in silence. 

By creating a workplace culture that values open communication, mutual respect, and supportive feedback, both organisations and employees can cultivate an environment where psychological safety thrives.