More than ever, employees want and need psychological safety, the confidence that honesty, transparency, and vulnerability are welcome without judgment in the workplace. This can be challenging to create and sustain, but here are four keys:
- Emphasize performance and the ability to achieve results and goals with teamwork, innovation, and creative problem-solving.
- Train both individuals and team. Encourage people to express themselves and focus on their own individual skills and strengths, but also enable them to work and collaborate with others. This means participating in conversations where multiple perspectives are sought and welcomed.
- Incorporate visualization. Encourage people to visualize recent situations where they were successful and felt engaged and connected.
- Normalize vulnerability related to work. Let people know it’s okay to be a little anxious, unsure, or nervous, particularly regarding new projects, challenges, or crises. Create an atmosphere where people can and do lean on and support each other.
