Psychological Safety
In any successful organisation, particularly in environments where collaboration and quick thinking are paramount, like healthcare, there’s a critical ingredient that often goes unmentioned but is felt by everyone: psychological safety. For those of us at JL Academy, fostering this sense of safety is fundamental to creating high-performing teams and a thriving workplace culture.
But what exactly is psychological safety?
It’s not about being overly nice or creating a space free from pressure or difficult conversations. As the pioneering researcher in this field, Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School, defines it, psychological safety is “a shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk taking” (Edmondson, 1999). In essence, it’s the confidence that you can speak up with ideas, ask questions, raise concerns, or admit to mistakes without fear of embarrassment, rejection, or punishment.
In a workplace where psychological safety is present, individuals feel empowered to be their authentic selves. This has a profound impact on various aspects of organisational performance and employee well-being.
Benefits
One of the most significant benefits, especially in critical sectors like healthcare, is the increased likelihood of error reporting and learning. When staff feel psychologically safe, they are more willing to report near misses and adverse events, knowing that the focus will be on systemic improvement rather than individual blame (National Center for Biotechnology Information, 2019). This open dialogue is crucial for identifying potential risks, learning from mistakes, and ultimately enhancing patient safety (Hewett et al., 2017). Conversely, a lack of psychological safety can lead to underreporting, burying valuable learning opportunities and perpetuating unsafe practices (Joint Commission, 2018).
Beyond safety, psychological safety is a powerful catalyst for innovation and creativity. When team members feel safe to share nascent ideas, even those that seem half-formed or unconventional, it sparks discussion and can lead to groundbreaking solutions (Leader Factor, n.d.). A culture that embraces intelligent risk-taking and views failures as learning opportunities, rather than reasons for reprimand, encourages individuals to push boundaries and explore new possibilities (People Insight, 2024).
Collaboration and teamwork also flourish in psychologically safe environments. When individuals trust that their colleagues and leaders have their best interests at heart and that their contributions are valued, they are more likely to engage in open dialogue, offer constructive feedback, and work together effectively towards shared goals (RSM Global, 2023). This contrasts sharply with environments lacking psychological safety, where fear can lead to silence, disengagement, and a reluctance to challenge the status quo, hindering effective teamwork.
Furthermore, psychological safety is intrinsically linked to employee well-being and retention. A workplace where individuals feel respected, heard, and safe to express themselves is less likely to contribute to stress, anxiety, and burnout (Included, 2025). When employees feel psychologically safe, they are more engaged and motivated, leading to higher job satisfaction and a reduced likelihood of seeking opportunities elsewhere (Sermo, 2024).
Conscious Effort
Cultivating psychological safety requires conscious effort from leaders and teams alike. It involves modelling desired behaviours, such as admitting one’s own mistakes and actively seeking feedback (HBS Online, 2025). Leaders play a crucial role in creating an environment where curiosity is encouraged, questions are welcomed, and diverse perspectives are valued. Establishing clear norms around how feedback is given and received, and how failures are analysed for learning, are also vital steps.
In conclusion, psychological safety is not merely a ‘soft’ aspect of the workplace; it is a fundamental driver of performance, safety, and well-being. For JL Academy and for any organisation striving for excellence, fostering a culture where individuals feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves is an essential investment in a brighter, more innovative, and more resilient future.
James Hourihan BScEcon, MScEcon, MIoD, FRSA
References
CPD Online College (2023) Effective Communication for Care Professionals | Strategies. Available at: https://cpdonline.co.uk/knowledge-base/care/effective-communication-for-care-professionals/ (Accessed: 28 April 2025).
Edmondson, A. (1999) ‘Psychological safety and learning behavior in work teams’, Administrative Science Quarterly, 44(2), pp. 350-383.
HBS Online (2025) How to Build Psychological Safety in the Workplace. Available at: https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/psychological-safety-in-the-workplace
Healthcare Communication Matters (n.d.) Effective strategies for communicating effectively with patients. Available at: https://healthcarecommunicationmatters.co.uk/uncategorised/effective-strategies-for-communicating-effectively-with-patients/
Hewett, M. et al. (2017) ‘Communication and patient safety in healthcare: a systematic review’, BMJ Quality & Safety, 26(7), pp. 576-584.
Included (2025) Psychological Safety is a Health and Safety Issue. Available at: https://included.com/2025/01/30/psychological-safety-health/
Joint Commission (2018) The ‘dirt’ on a leading cause of sentinel events. Available at: https://www.google.com/search?q=https://www.jointcommission.org/resources/news-and-multimedia/blogs/leading-root-causes-of-sentinel-events/
Leader Factor (n.d.) Benefits of Psychological Safety. Available at: https://www.leaderfactor.com/learn/benefits-of-psychological-safety
National Center for Biotechnology Information (2019) Improving Patient Safety Through Provider Communication Strategy Enhancements. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK43663/
RSM Global (2023) Top tips for fostering a psychologically safe work environment. Available at: https://www.rsm.global/insights/top-tips-fostering-psychologically-safe-work-environment
Sermo (2024) Importance of effective communication in healthcare. Available at: https://www.sermo.com/en-gb/resources/importance-of-effective-communication-in-healthcare/
The Access Group (n.d.) Effective Communication in Health & Social Care – Overcoming barriers. Available at: https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-gb/blog/hsc-effective-communication-health-and-social-care/
