In this episode of Connected Leadership Bytes, Andy Lopata welcomes Rebecca Morgan, a renowned author and leadership expert, to investigate the concept of psychological safety in the workplace. Rebecca shares insights from her extensive research on Silicon Valley’s highest-performing companies, emphasising that psychological safety is crucial for fostering Innovation and collaboration.
Rebecca explains psychological safety as an individual’s perception that their team is safe for
risk-taking, where one can voice differing opinions without fear of repercussions. It is about creating a climate of interpersonal trust and mutual respect. Rebecca highlights the importance of disagreeing agreeably and phrasing counter-opinions thoughtfully to ensure they are well-received.
She also addresses the challenge of accommodating diverse personality styles within teams, suggesting techniques like ‘raising hands’ or using a ‘talking ball’ to ensure introverts have equal airtime. Rebecca stresses the balance needed between bringing one’s authentic self to work while maintaining professionalism, advocating for appropriateness filters to keep expressions constructive.
Key Takeaways:
1. Psychological Safety as a Foundation for Success: Rebecca emphasises that psychological safety is foundational for high-performing teams, but she notes that while companies may strive for this ideal, implementation can vary depending on individual managers.
2. Definition of Psychological Safety: Rebecca defines psychological safety as an individual’s perception that their team is safe for risk-taking.
3.Disagreeing Agreeably: Rebecca stresses the importance of phrasing counter-opinions thoughtfully to ensure they are well-received, highlighting the need for finesse and diplomacy in
communication.
4. Balancing Authenticity and Appropriateness: Leaders should encourage employees to
bring their unique perspectives while remaining mindful of boundaries.
5. Accommodating Diverse Personality Styles: By establishing ground rules, extroverts can
learn to accommodate quieter colleagues, fostering collaboration across personality types.
7. Building Trust Through Individual Conversations: Rebecca underscores the importance of individual conversations in building trust and understanding within teams. Andy adds that stepping into others’ shoes and having meaningful discussions can help create a safer and
more supportive environment, even when challenges arise.
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Connect with Rebecca Morgan: Website |LinkedIn | X | Facebook
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Episode 163 Featuring Rebecca Morgan
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