Mangers'guide_PsychologicalSafety.2

Be Engaged
MANAGERS’ GUIDE
How to promote psychological safety on your team
• Try to be “present”, and listen closely to the conversation. Encourage others to be
present by closing laptops and devices during meetings.
• Demonstrate your awareness and empathy in your responses.
“That’s an interesting point… why do you think that is happening?”
• Try ask questions at least as much as you offer opinions. Strong leaders and
teams act and speak with the intention of learning from teammates.
BODY LANGUAGE
• Lean towards the person speaking, make eye contact to show connection and active
listening
Validate
• “I understand.” “I see what you’re saying.”
• Try to recap what’s been said (to reinforce mutual understanding and alignment)
“What I am hearing you say is…”
• Acknowledge areas of agreement and disagreement. Make sure conflicts are not
personal.
• Avoid placing blame
“Why did you do this?”
• Focus on solutions
“How can we make sure this goes more smoothly next time?”
BODY LANGUAGE
• Be aware of your facial expressions. Are you unintentionally sharing negative reactions?
• Nod your head to demonstrate understanding.
Be Inclusive
• Be available and approachable to teammates. Make time for conversations.
• Regularly express gratitude to team members for all positive contributions.
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• Share information about your personal work style and preferences. Encourage
teammates to do the same.
• Talk with teammates about their lives outside of work.
• Clearly communicate the purpose of all meetings.
• Don’t let team members talk negatively about other team members.
BODY LANGUAGE
• Open body posture.
• Face all team members, don’t turn your back to members of the group.
Share Decision-Making
• Encourage questions
• Ask for input, opinions, and feedback from your teammates.
• Try not to interrupt others. Help others to step in when someone is interrupted
and ensure his/her idea is heard.
• Explain the reasoning behind your decisions.
• Be sure to share when a team member contributes to a decision or a success.
Be Confident, But Not Inflexible
• Encourage the team to challenge you. But stick to your convictions and
principles, and defend your view if you are not persuaded.
• Manage team discussions. Prevent off-topic conversations during meetings.
• Encourage teammates to take risks, and demonstrate risk-taking in your own
work.
• Don’t be afraid to show vulnerability; share failures and concerns with your
teammates.
Additional resources
• High-Performing team needs psychological safety. Here is how to create it. L. Delizonna Harvard
Business Review, 2017
• Edmondson and Lei (2014). "Psychological Safety: The History, Renaissance, and Future of an
Interpersonal Construct," Annual Review Organizational Psychology and Organizational Behavior.
• Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy. A.
Edmonson
WeQ B.V. | Amsterdam | www.WeQ.io