5 Ways to Create a Culture of Psychological Safety in the Workplace

Your company has plenty of smoke alarms and safety drills to protect the physical safety of your staff, but what are you doing to look after their psychological safety?

Companies need to create a work environment where staff are happy, feel confident speaking up, can work creatively, and know that they’re a valued team member—this is the essence of psychological safety.

However, it’s something some workplaces tend to neglect—leading to high turnover rates and miserable employees. To learn more, here are five ways you can improve psychological safety in the workplace.

1. Ask Staff for Feedback

Creating a safe workplace means that you first need to know what your staff are thinking. What do they like about the current workplace culture and what do they think needs improving?

It’s worth meeting with staff one-on-one or developing a survey where staff can give feedback. It’s a good idea to make it anonymous, as some people might feel more comfortable contributing that way.

This will help you learn what to focus on when it comes to improving the culture of your workplace.

2. Ask Open-Ended Questions

It can be helpful to always practice active listening and to ask open-ended questions when talking to your staff. If you seem disengaged, asking quick yes or no questions, your employees might think that you’re preoccupied or aren’t paying attention to what they’re saying.

Focus on really listening to what staff are telling you and value their opinions.

3. Be Available for Your Staff

In toxic workplaces, management often appears to be ‘too busy’ all the time—they don’t make time for their staff, leaving staff feeling undervalued.

Work to create a culture where everyone in the office is approachable, treating one another equally. You might want to try keeping your door open, a sign that you’re free for a chat.

Or, encourage staff to call, email, or drop in whenever they need someone to talk to.

4. Offer an EAP Plan

Mental health and support are more important than ever, so be sure to offer a company EAP plan. This is a free service for staff that lets them get anonymous help on issues that are troubling them, such as finances, relationships, or work-related stress.

5. Ensure Management Are Properly Trained

Last, make sure your staff are properly trained to handle psychological safety. It’s a serious matter that should be taken seriously, so invest in a course on psychological safety and diversity so that management is better equipped to deal with the topic.

Use These Tips to Improve Psychological Safety in the Workplace

With the help of these tips, you can improve your workplace and increase your support of psychological safety. Your staff work long hours each day on behalf of your company, so it’s essential to give them a safe, welcoming, and supportive work environment.

Get started today and you’ll soon see lots of positive changes in your office.

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