The Four Stages
A new employee feels comfortable enough to admit they don't understand the historical context of a specific EDIA term being used. Which stage of safety is this demonstrating?
Learner Safety
True or False? In a high-functioning team, psychological safety means that everyone feels comfortable and the environment is free from conflict
False
An inclusion breach occurs when a team member's lived experience is dismissed during an ideation session. If the facilitator misses the moment, how can another team member offer support?
Name what happened
During a high impact meeting, a leader makes a suggestion that inadvertently overlooks a key accessibility requirement. You notice a new employee looks hesitant to speak up. as a champion of psychological safety what's your move in this moment?
Modeling Challenger Safety by speaking up first or inviting gentle critique
This is the stage where individuals feel they truly belong and are accepted for who they are.
Inclusion Safety
Psychological safety is NOT about agreeing with everything, but rather this type of dialogue.
Respectful Dialogue
When a safety breach occurs, it's suggested to focus on this, rather than just the intent of the person.
Impact
Leaders can build Learner Safety by modeling this personal state of mind.
Personal Unknowing
At this level of safety, team members feel trusted to meaningfully share their skills and ideas, knowing their collaboration strengthens the team's outcomes.
Contributor Safety
While it encourages a safe environment, psychological safety does NOT mean eliminating this "A-word" for performance.
Accountability
Liz Fosselin suggests that the best teams ensure this doesn't happen to the conversation by a single person.
Dominating the conversation
To ensure all voices are heard, a champion should actively seek out these specific perspectives in the room.
Quietest Perspectives
This level of psychological safety allows team members to respectfully question decisions or the status quo.
Challenger Safety
Psychological safety is defined as the ability to express oneself without the fear of these.
Negative Consequences
Navigating tough moments requires moving away from individual resilience and toward this type of responsibility.
Collective Responsibility
A key leadership move is to consciously lower this cost for others to speak up.
Social Cost