As a visionary startup founder, you want it to be innovative, fast-paced and highly productive. However, amidst the whirlwind of creative chaos that a startup can often be, there’s one thing you cannot afford to ignore: the psychological safety of your crew.
Defining Psychological Safety
Psychological safety in the workplace is the notion that professionals can express their thoughts, questions, ideas, concerns, and even mistakes without fear of retribution, ridicule, or any negative repercussions. This isn’t just about feeling confident to share ideas, this is about feeling like an equal, valued, and heard irrespective of factors like race, gender, sexual orientation, or background.
The Value of Psychological Safety
Why should you care about this? Well, apart from being a human and a good employer, there’s a whole list of benefits, but let’s just go through a few:
Enhanced Creativity and Innovation - in an environment where people feel secure, they’re more likely to let their creativity run wild, experiment, and share some ground-breaking ideas. Diverse perspectives spark innovation. This lively exchange of diverse thoughts and perspectives acts as a catalyst for out-of-the-box thinking, transforming the workplace into a vibrant hub of creative energy, where breakthrough solutions are not just encouraged but expected.
Skyrocketing Productivity - Contented employees become more engaged, igniting their productivity. When a workplace is a safe place, employees are not just present but fully invested, channeling their energy into tasks with a passion that propels productivity to new heights. It's not just about completing tasks; it's about achieving exceptional results born out of a genuine commitment to the work.
Improved Employee Well-Being – Beyond those tangible benefits, the impact of psychological safety on employee well-being is profound. It fosters a sense of security and belonging, creating an environment where individuals can flourish both professionally and personally, ultimately diminishing the factors that contribute to burnout and high turnover rates.
Better decision-making – a safe space empowers individuals to voice their concerns and question decisions. The result? Informed choices and more effective problem-solving. In an atmosphere where every voice is valued, decisions aren’t made in echo chambers.
Team cohesion – psychological safety fosters trust and respect among team members, promoting better collaboration and teamwork. Each member is empowered to contribute with their unique strengths, creating a force tackling challenges ahead as a team.
OK, Time for some self reflection
As a founder, how do you know if you are creating a psychologically safe startup?
PRESENCE – When you enter a room, do you create warmth or a chill? Your influence sets the tone. Your demeanor becomes the compass shaping the emotional climate.
COLLABORATION – Does your involvement accelerate discovery and innovation or do you slam the brakes? Your leadership style can be a catalyst of collective brilliance or a bottleneck to progress.
FEEDBACK – Do you encourage a flow of feedback, even if it is critical? Are you open to being challenged, or are you surrounded by ‘yes’ people? A culture of open communication requires leaders who not only encourage feedback but actively seek it.
INQUIRY – questions open doors, while telling slams them shut. Does your influence encourage open communication? Leaders who ask open-ended questions invite collaboration and ensure that every voice is heard.
DISSENT – encouraging dissent is critical for informed decisions. Do you celebrate dissent? In a landscape of diverse opinions, dissent is not a disruption.
MISTAKES – Do you celebrate lessons learned? Viewing mistakes as opportunities is one of the cornerstones of a psychologically safe environment. Create a culture where innovation is born from experimentation, not fear of failure.
If you’re still not sure You can also ask these questions during one-on-one meetings or through an anonymous survey:
Can you be your authentic self here?
Do you have opportunities to grow?
Do you feel you can add value to your role, team, or the company?
Can you be candid about change?
Indications that Psychological Safety is somewhat lacking
Silent Employees: Your once-vibrant team members have fallen silent, contributing less in meetings, asking fewer questions, and keeping their innovative ideas to themselves.
Lack of Challenging Feedback: The echo chamber is in full swing, with everyone nodding in agreement. Challenges to your ideas are as rare as a quiet day in a startup.
Absence of New Ideas: The flow of fresh concepts seems to have dried up. You can't recall the last time someone brought you an exciting, out-of-the-box idea.
High Turnover Rates: Your revolving door is spinning faster than ever, and those Glassdoor reviews paint a less-than-rosy picture of your startup's workplace culture.
Low Morale: The atmosphere in your workplace has shifted from dynamic and energetic to negative and tense, creating a palpable drop in morale.
Strategies for Creating and Maintaining Psychological Safety
Lead by Example: As the founder or leader, you're the captain of this ship. Demonstrate openness, transparency, and a willingness to receive feedback, setting the standard for a culture of trust.
Train Managers: Arm your managers with the mental health training needed to support their teams effectively, fostering an environment where well-being is prioritized.
Include Psychological Safety Points in Onboarding: Make psychological safety a cornerstone of your onboarding process, ensuring that every new member understands its importance.
Encourage Open Communication: Cultivate a culture of open and honest communication. Urge your employees to voice their thoughts, concerns, and ideas freely, creating an environment where every voice matters.
Provide Feedback Constructively: When offering feedback, shift the focus from criticism to improvement. Make feedback specific, actionable, and deliver it with empathy, fostering an atmosphere of growth.
Create Space for Different Communication Styles: Embrace the diversity of communication and learning styles within your team, allowing each member to contribute in a way that suits them best.
Use Empathetic Language: Communicate with empathy and understanding, promoting a workplace where empathy is not just a buzzword but a daily practice.
Foster Inclusivity: Build an inclusive work environment that values every perspective, regardless of position or background. Inclusivity is not just a goal; it's a fundamental aspect of a psychologically safe workplace.
Establish Clear Policies: Set unambiguous policies for conflict resolution and anti-discrimination. Ensure that every employee is not only aware of these policies but knows how to utilize them, providing a clear framework for a safe working environment.
Indicators of achieving psychological safety
Frequent Sharing: Team members are actively engaged, frequently sharing their thoughts, ideas, and concerns, creating an environment where open communication is the norm.
Constructive Conflict: Conflict is no longer a sign of tension but an opportunity for healthy, constructive dialogue focused on problem-solving and improvement.
High Retention Rates: Your startup experiences a notable decrease in employee turnover and a surge in employee retention, signifying a workplace where individuals feel valued and secure.
In Conclusion:
Prioritizing psychological safety in your startup isn't just a luxury; it's a fundamental requirement for sustained success. It's the secret sauce that enhances creativity, boosts productivity, and nurtures a positive work culture.
By leading by example, fostering open communication, and championing inclusivity, you're not just running a startup; you're cultivating a space where employees not only survive but thrive, becoming the driving force behind your startup's triumph.
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