Description

Psychological safety is a crucial but often misunderstood concept in modern organizations. In this episode, Andrew and Mark take a deep dive into its origins, how it became a foundational principle of high-performing teams, and why "safe to challenge" can sometimes backfire if implemented poorly.

We explore the history, research, and practical applications of psychological safety, from its early roots in therapeutic psychology to Amy Edmondson’s groundbreaking research in the 1990s, to its popularization by Google’s Project Aristotle. Along the way, we discuss common misconceptions, the role of leadership, and how organizations can create a culture where people feel safe to challenge ideas without fear of repercussions.

In this episode, we talk about:

• What is Psychological Safety? – A definition of psychological safety and why it matters for team performance.
• The Origins of Psychological Safety – How early research by Carl Rogers, Edgar Schein, and Warren Bennis laid the groundwork for modern team dynamics.
• Amy Edmondson’s Breakthrough – How her 1996 study of nursing teams revealed that psychologically safe teams report more mistakes—not because they make more, but because they feel safe admitting them.
• Google’s Project Aristotle – How Google’s research found psychological safety to be the #1 factor in team success, and how it fits alongside dependability, clarity, meaning, and impact.
• The Challenge with "Safe to Challenge" – Why focusing on challenging authority without first fostering psychological safety can create a toxic environment instead of a productive one.
• Leadership’s Role in Psychological Safety – Why leaders must model fallibility, vulnerability, and openness to feedback to create a climate where others feel safe to speak up.
• Avoiding Common Misconceptions – The pitfalls of treating psychological safety as a shield against performance expectations, a license to criticize without accountability, or a box to check off rather than a culture to build.
• Practical Tips for Leaders & Teams – How to cultivate psychological safety in your workplace, from building familiarity and social bonds to creating low-risk "practice fields" for feedback and challenge.

This episode is packed with history, research, and actionable insights to help leaders and teams build a culture where challenge leads to innovation, not fear.

🔊 Listen now to learn how to create a workplace where people feel truly safe to challenge! 

References:

Rogers, C. (1973). The Characteristics of a Helping Relationship, In Bennis, W.G., Berlew, D.E., Schein, D.H., Steele, F.I. (Eds), Interpersonal Dynamics (3rd Ed.), Dorsey: Illinois. 223-236.

Clark, T. (2020). The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety. Oakland: Berret-Koehler.

Edmondson, A.C. (1996). Learning from mistakes is easier said than done: Group and organizational influences on the detection and correction of human error. Journal of Applied Behavioral Science, 32(1), 5–28. 

Edmondson, A.C. (1999). Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams. Administrative science quarterly, 44(2), 350-383.

Edmondson, A.C. (2012). Teaming: How Organizations Learn, Innovate, and Compete in the Knowledge Economy. New Jersey: Jossey-Bass.

Teaming to Innovate by Amy C. Edmondson

Work Rules!: Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead by Laszlo Bock

Hit Refresh: The Quest to Rediscover Microsoft's Soul and Imagine a Better Future for Everyone by Satya Nadella (Author), Greg Shaw (Author), Jill Tracie Nichols (Author)

Thanks for listening!

Music by Tom Farrington