At work, part of our inherent needs includes the desire to work for an organization where we feel safe, can be ourselves, speak without fear, not feel threatened by punishment or humiliation, and ultimately be able to deliver our best work. In this article, we will dive into understanding psychological safety at work and determine how its presence can create a thriving work culture that benefits both the employee and the organization.
Understanding Psychological Safety
The term psychological safety was coined by Havard Business School professor and author of the book The Fearless Organization Amy Edmonson. It refers to the belief that as a respected and valued member of a company, individuals can share views openly, take risks, give suggestions and voice concerns without the fear of facing negative consequences.
Psychological safety lays the foundation for respect, trust, creativity, innovation and better collaboration. In an environment where this is present, employees feel at ease and comfortable asking questions, admitting mistakes and proposing innovative ideas without fear of embarrassment or retribution.
Identifying Organizations that Prioritize Psychological Safety
We know that job hunting can be a difficult and draining process. But securing a job in an environment where you feel welcomed, respected and safe is a matter of great significance. As a job seeker, go the extra mile to actively obtain information about your potential employer and determine if the work environment is one that is supportive – a place where the employees feel comfortable sharing their ideas and opinions without fear of judgment or repercussions.
Listed below are some ways by which you can gather information and gain a better understanding of a company’s work culture.
Research the Company
Review the company’s website with great attention. Look up the company values and determine how they celebrate their employees. Are there any success stories or personal employee experiences shared on the website? Keep note.
You also may want to review news articles and locate press releases that may reveal the organization’s values and approach toward employee well-being.
Leverage other online platforms, such as Glassdoor, and pay close attention to comments about management style and the overall workplace culture. LinkedIn is an absolute goldmine! Use this platform to go through profiles of members of the company’s management and determine how much effort is being put into engaging socially with the workforce and how the company’s representatives respond to employee comments and queries.
Leverage the Interview Process
The interview process is a fantastic way to assess an organization’s commitment to psychological safety. Don’t shy away from asking questions. Use this as a way to connect with your potential employers and gain an understanding of the work culture.
Pay close attention to how interviewers respond to your questions and whether they encourage dialogue. Take note of their willingness to discuss topics such as peer relationships, work-life balance, grievance handling and other challenges that the organization faces. You’ll know you’re interacting with a healthy company with a positive work environment if your interviewers are open to providing information and discussing instances where they show their support toward employee growth and well-being.
Note Opinions and Take Feedback
Use the recruitment journey to your benefit and reach out to existing or previous members of the organization. (This is another good question to ask your interviewer about meeting and talking with current employees.) Work on building relationships and developing camaraderie with recruiters, potential managers and teammates. Ask for their opinions regarding their experience working there. Probe into discussions that will help you gauge and assess the work environment and the relationship with leadership and between employees. Here are a few questions that you can ask existing or ex-employees to help you gain an understanding of the organization’s work environment:
- Why did they choose to work there?
- How long have they remained associated with the organization?
- What are the positives that make them stay?
- Do they feel heard and valued?
- Are new ideas and opinions welcomed?
- Would they improve or change something?
Best Career Choices
Individuals looking to progress in their careers must choose a workplace that offers high levels of psychological safety, acceptance and a sense of belonging. Yes, the search and the process may be long – one that requires patience and careful evaluation – but the end result will outweigh the effort invested. Similarly, when employers make psychological safety a priority, they not only create a solid foundation but also set up their teams and people to achieve long-term success.
At Crosworks, our approach begins and ends with you. If you’re looking for a new job or considering a career transition, schedule a free introductory call to learn about our Job Search Strategies program, which is designed to guide and support you through all phases of developing and executing your job search and land a job that fits your target.