NCJ Number
242488
Date Published
2013
Length
2 pages
Annotation
This research note discusses how psychological safety influences relationship behavior.
Abstract
This research note examines how the concept of psychological safety influences relationship behavior in the work place. Psychological safety is defined as "people's perceptions of consequences for taking interpersonal risk at their place of work," allowing them to provide input without fear of reprisal from others or being viewed as incompetent. This note examines the connection between psychological safety and effective leadership, highlighting the factors required to make it work. For psychological safety to work, trust must be present among leaders, followers, and team members. The existence of trust then requires that relationships be transparent and vulnerable, and that trust be reciprocal. These factors can lead to high quality leader-follower relationships. In order to establish psychological safety, management needs to focus on planning, directing, and controlling resources, and ensuring that policies and procedures are adhered to by staff members. For managers to be effective leaders they need to focus not only on their own self-awareness but also on the self-awareness of their followers. 9 endnotes