One Apple A Day #562 - the safety paradox
You've almost surely read and heard many times about "Psychological safety". Many studies proved that it is one, if not the, most critical condition for extraordinary performance at the personal and team level.
Psychological safety can be defined as "being able to show and employ one's self without fear of negative consequences of self-image, status or career". In short, it is the belief that, within a team or organisation, you feel safe to show up authentically, to speak your own truth and take risks.
So, creating a space where everyone feels safe should be the starting point for every teamwork.
How do you do that?
This is what I've been pondering about last days. The feeling of "being safe" is entirely subjective. I may feel safe to express myself fully in a space where someone else can not. How can I know if a space is "safe" for everyone? If someone doesn't feel safe, will she or he manifest that feeling?
Indeed, some configurations are more helpful than others in creating a safe space for everyone. But I believe that psychological safety is sourced within. If I want to create a safe space, the first vital step is for me to sincerely believe that that space is safe and show up authentically. No matter what. And that means taking risks. It means to be willing to step out of my inner "safe" zone and feel unsafe.
It is a kind of paradox.
If I want to create a safe space for others, I must be ready to risk my own safety.