DIVERSITY & PSYCHOLOGICAL SAFETY
Diversity can improve business performance…
Research shows that diverse teams often outperform homogeneous teams. Inviting multiple perspectives can prevent groupthink and provide new ideas that wouldn’t have otherwise been considered.
But diversity alone isn’t enough.
Psychological safety is the vital ingredient diversity needs to succeed.
When diverse teams have high psychological safety, performance increases.
When diverse teams have low psychological safety, performance decreases.
What does psychological safety look like?
“Psychological safety describes a work environment where people believe that speaking up is feasible. Not easy, necessarily, but expected, desired, welcomed.”
— Harvard Business School Professor and Teamraderie Advisor Amy Edmondson
In a psychologically safe environment…
- There’s a strong sense of belonging and inclusion
- Open and transparent communication is encouraged and feasible
- There’s a positive attitude towards risk-taking and intelligent failure
- Employees are willing to help one another and request help when needed
Deeper Dive: What Is Psychological Safety & Why Is It Important?
Here’s how to boost psychological safety in diverse teams:
FRAMING
Approach meetings as information-sharing opportunities and differences as sources of value.
INQUIRY
Intentionally ask employees for their opinions and be willing to listen to—and appreciate—what they have to say.
BRIDGE BOUNDARIES
Seek to understand others’ hopes, goals, resources, skills, concerns, and obstacles
How Teamraderie Helps
Psychological safety expert and Teamraderie advisor Amy Edmondson has co-created a team journey to improve psychological safety on your team.
“This is the only way I can imagine you effectively build ‘psychological safety’ as a team. You do experiences together, you learn together, you get better together.”
— CFO, drug development company