How to Lead with Psychological Safety

It's time to create a workplace that elevates everyone... and research shows it is going to be beneficial for the business

I bet you’ve come across the saying “if you are the smartest person in the room, you’re in the wrong room”. We often interpret this as surrounding yourself with people that are more intelligent than us, choosing friends, mentors, or colleagues who challenge and inspire us. But what if there's more to it?

Picture this: you’re the CEO of a company, sitting in a meeting with your executive team. But instead of dynamic discussions, here's what typically happens:

• Team members present ideas, and you immediately point out their flaws.

• You share your thoughts, and everyone nods in agreement.

• You ask questions, and there’s an uncomfortable silence.

• You always have the final say.

If this sounds familiar, it might be time to reconsider who should move to another room. And spoiler alert: it’s probably not because you’re the smartest one there.

Should the CEO be the smartest in the room?

Many CEOs - and managers - reach their positions through hard work and determination. Once they arrive, they often feel they must prove they know the best answers, overshadowing everyone else with their knowledge and decisions.

But here’s the kicker: this mindset can be detrimental. Instead of fostering a culture of innovation and collaboration, it diminishes growth. People fear speaking up, creativity is suppressed, and the team's potential is wasted.

Does this sound like the environment you’re leading? Or perhaps the one you're working in?

The Cost of a Fearful Workplace

We've all heard stories about exceptional leaders who uplift their teams, creating spaces where creativity flourishes. Unfortunately, the opposite is still prevalent in many organizations where we find leaders who:

• Criticize instead of challenge.

• Dictate instead of discuss.

• Demand perfection instead of allowing room for failure and learning.

These behaviors create a culture of silence, where even experienced leaders choose not to speak up to avoid conflict. This can often lead to burnout, as those with initiative are pushed beyond their limits trying to meet unrealistic expectations.

Moving to Another Room

If you find yourself as the leader who always has the last word or is the only one talking, it’s time to step back and reflect, to move to another room.

The workplace that you should design needs to allow your team to shine and show their intelligence, to enhance your thoughts and ideas, and to challenge you to become a better leader.

A great starting point is Amy Edmondson’s book, "The Fearless Organization". Edmondson emphasizes creating an environment of psychological safety where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear of negative consequences.

The following video will give you a taste of it:

Practical Steps to Foster Psychological Safety

To build a psychologically safe environment, consider these actionable steps:

1. Encourage Open Dialogue: Regularly ask for feedback and genuinely listen. Make it clear that all voices are valued.

2. Celebrate Mistakes: Treat mistakes as learning opportunities rather than failures. Share your own mistakes to model this behavior.

3. Empower Your Team: Delegate decision-making responsibilities and trust your team to handle them. This shows you value their judgment.

4. Provide Constructive Feedback: Offer feedback that focuses on growth and improvement, not just criticism.

5. Foster Inclusivity: Ensure everyone has the opportunity to contribute. Actively seek input from quieter team members.

6. Promote Well-being: Recognize signs of burnout and address them. Encourage a healthy work-life balance.

Research by the Boston Consulting Group shows that there are tangible benefits:

The Intelligent Move

For those of you not in leadership but stuck in a stifling environment, consider your options. Sometimes the smartest move is finding a workplace that values and cultivates psychological safety. Your well-being and professional growth are paramount.

Remember, the true measure of a leader isn’t in knowing all the answers but in creating a space where everyone can contribute their best ideas. By fostering psychological safety, not only do you elevate your team, but you also set the stage for long-term success.

So, whether you’re leading the room or just sitting in it, let’s make a conscious effort to prioritize psychological safety. It’s the intelligent choice for everyone involved.