The Power of Psychological Safety in High-Performing Teams
In today’s rapidly evolving world, creating a high-performing team is about much more than just assembling talented individuals. As Michael Jordan learned the hard way, “Talent wins games, teams win championships.” What truly separates exceptional teams is their foundation in psychological safety – a space where trust, open dialogue, and the freedom to take risks thrive without fear of judgment.
What is Psychological Safety?
Harvard professor Amy Edmondson first introduced the concept of psychological safety, defining it as a shared belief that a team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. In these environments, people feel free to voice concerns, share new ideas, and admit mistakes – creating fertile ground for innovation, collaboration, and growth.
Innovation
Collaboration
Growth
Well-being
However, the impact of psychological safety goes beyond professional outcomes. It transforms the well-being of individuals within the team. Employees who feel safe to express themselves without fear of judgment experience reduced stress, higher confidence, and the freedom to bring their authentic selves to work. This creates a culture where people not only thrive professionally but also grow personally, fostering a sense of belonging and trust that ripples throughout the organization.
The Google Experience: Project Aristotle
This groundbreaking project brought psychological safety into the spotlight when they sought to understand what makes their top-performing teams excel. The results were clear: psychological safety was the single most important factor. Teams where members felt safe to express themselves, share opinions, and take risks consistently outperformed those without that trust by 37 percent on average.
Psychological safety was not just a driver of performance – it also enhanced mental well-being and reduced burnout. Teams with high psychological safety had higher engagement, felt happier, and maintained a healthier work-life balance. This reflects the broader human impact: employees feel more supported and empowered to care for their well-being, knowing their team has their back.
Teams with high psychological safety had:
- Mental Well-being
- Higher Engagement
- Work-life Balance
- Reduced Burnout
- Felt Happier
Insights from Daniela Landherr and The Human Space
Daniela Landherr, founder of The Human Space, knows the power of psychological safety firsthand. Having led Talent Engagement at Google and applied Project Aristotle’s findings, Daniela has seen the transformative effect it can have on leaders and teams. Today, she brings these insights to her clients, helping them build cultures of trust, openness, and inspiration.
Daniela has identified key elements that drive psychological safety and high-performing teams:
Inspirational Leadership
- Leaders who connect emotionally and genuinely care about their teams foster deeper trust and commitment.
- By showing empathy and concern for both professional and personal well-being, they create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
- This emotional connection inspires teams to give their best, aligning passion with purpose.
Norming Behaviors
- The power of norming is often underestimated, yet it shapes team dynamics.
- Establishing clear norms sets the tone for how teams communicate, giving permission for honest, open conversations.
- This fosters a culture where collaboration thrives, and conflicts are navigated with respect and understanding.
Emotional Trigger Management
- Self-awareness is a leader’s greatest strength, but emotional triggers can push individuals into reactive states.
- Leaders who manage their emotional responses create a calmer, more productive environment, allowing their teams to thrive.
- Emotional regulation is key to sustaining psychological safety and resilience.
Real Talk
- Addressing difficult conversations directly is essential for resolving issues and strengthening teams.
- When leaders foster open dialogue without fear, it builds honesty, transparency, and trust.
- Real talk strengthens relationships and creates a culture of continuous improvement.
The Role of Leadership: Why Start at the Top?
As learned from Google’s experience, psychological safety scales best from the top down. When executive teams embrace vulnerability, open communication and trust, it creates a ripple effect throughout the organization. Leaders who model these behaviors set the tone for the entire team, making it easier to embed psychological safety at all levels.
According to Amy Edmondson, psychological safety is not just about creating comfort – it’s about fostering a learning organization. Teams that feel safe are more willing to take risks, admit mistakes, and experiment. This learning culture is vital in fast-paced environments where continuous adaptation is necessary for growth.
At The Human Space, we’ve seen that executive leadership is crucial for creating psychologically safe environments. Leaders who demonstrate openness, admit mistakes, and encourage feedback foster a culture where everyone feels empowered to contribute.
The Benefits of Psychological Safety
The benefits of psychological safety are transformative, both professionally and personally.
Here’s how it drives success:
Increased Innovation: Teams that feel safe to take risks are more creative and willing to explore new ideas.
Stronger Collaboration: When everyone’s voice is heard and valued, collaboration becomes seamless and more effective.
Higher Engagement: Psychological safety boosts employee engagement, as people feel more connected to their work and their team.
Resilience and Adaptability: Teams with psychological safety are better equipped to navigate challenges, as they trust one another to handle tough situations.
Transforming Teams with Psychological Safety
At The Human Space, we are deeply invested in helping organizations build these foundations of trust and psychological safety. We know from experience that this work begins with leadership – when executives champion psychological safety, they empower the entire organization to thrive.
In the end, psychological safety is not just a strategy – it’s the cornerstone of transformational leadership and high-performing teams. When leaders create an environment where every voice matters, where emotional intelligence and real conversations are valued, they unlock the full potential of their people. And in that space, the possibilities for growth, innovation, and success are truly unlocked.
