Discussion on Leadership: Tips for Establishing Trust and Quelling Anxiety
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In the realm of team-based continuous improvement, psychological safety is considered a fundamental prerequisite for any change, according to Professor Mohamed Saleh. This essential element fosters an environment where team members feel secure to voice their ideas, admit mistakes, and collaborate towards growth.
To build psychological safety and drive out fear, intentional leadership actions are required. Here are some effective strategies:
Leadership Actions for Psychological Safety
- Model Vulnerability and Authenticity: Leaders should lead by example by being open about their own mistakes and vulnerabilities, encouraging others to acknowledge their errors without fear of judgment.
- Promote Inclusive Communication: Foster a culture where everyone feels heard and valued. Encourage open dialogue through active listening and non-judgmental responses to ideas and concerns.
- Utilize Emotional Intelligence (EQ): Leaders with high EQ can create a safe space by recognizing and managing their own emotions and those of their team members. EQ helps in navigating difficult conversations and empathizing with others.
- Emphasize Learning Over Blame: Treat mistakes as opportunities for growth rather than failures. Ask questions like "What can we learn from this?" instead of "Who was responsible?" to encourage a culture of accountability and learning.
- Establish Clear Policies and Procedures: Develop and communicate policies that prioritize psychological safety, ensuring that all employees understand its importance. Regularly assess and adapt these policies to maintain a safe environment.
- Foster a Non-Judgmental Environment: Address biases and microaggressions to ensure all voices are respected. This helps in creating a workplace where everyone feels comfortable expressing ideas without fear of negative consequences.
- Encourage Teamwork and Collaboration: Avoid hero cultures and focus on team-based achievements. Implement structures like team-based compensation to promote collective success and reduce competition.
Driving Out Fear
- Address Fear Openly: Communicate that fear is acknowledged and will be addressed through open dialogue.
- Lead by Example: Leaders should first exhibit behaviors that counteract fear, such as transparency and empathy.
- Create Feedback Loops: Regularly solicit feedback and act upon it to ensure that concerns are heard and addressed.
By implementing these strategies, leaders can create a culture where psychological safety thrives, fostering a continuous improvement environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and growth.
Professor Mohamed Saleh and John Dyer, co-hosts of "Behind the Curtain: Adventures in Continuous Improvement," discuss psychological safety and driving out fear as necessary elements for building a culture of team-based continuous improvement. Both "Tell me more" and "Please help me understand" are favored by Mohamed Saleh and John Dyer as they foster a sense of partnership and avoid blame.
Management guru W. Edwards Deming included "Drive out fear" as one of his 14 points for management transformation in 1982. Amy Edmondson's book "The Fearless Organization" is a favorite of Professor Mohamed Saleh regarding psychological safety.
Done poorly, daily management boards can be more harmful than helpful. Lack of transparency, command and control leadership style, and creating a culture of fear and blame are three ingredients that hamper psychological safety, as per Professor Mohamed Saleh.
In the realm of business and education-and-self-development, leaders can promote personal-growth by fostering an environment of psychological safety, as addressed by Professor Mohamed Saleh. By employing strategies like modeling vulnerability, inclusive communication, and establishing clear policies, leaders can create a safe business environment conducive to finance and collective growth.
Moreover, investing in leadership skills and understanding the principles outlined in books like Amy Edmondson's "The Fearless Organization" can help leaders eradicate fear, thereby nurturing a culture of continuous improvement and self-development.
