Creating Psychologically Safe Workplaces: Lessons from Aviation and Beyond
Psychological safety in the workplace is more than just a trendy buzzword—it’s a critical factor in fostering strong, high-performing teams. At Spring Safety Consultants, we see firsthand how workplace culture impacts worker well-being, decision-making, and safety. A compelling example of this can be found in the tragic story of the Boeing 737 Max crashes, which underscores the life-or-death consequences of failing to establish a culture where employees feel safe to speak up.
What Is Psychological Safety?
Psychological safety refers to an environment where employees feel safe to express ideas, voice concerns, and admit mistakes without fear of humiliation or retribution. It enables collaboration, innovation, and, most importantly, safer workplaces.
Organizational psychologist Adam Grant, in his podcast WorkLife, explored the Boeing 737 Max case, highlighting how a lack of psychological safety contributed to poor decision-making and, ultimately, disaster. Employees feared speaking up about known issues, leading to fatal consequences. This example serves as a powerful reminder that psychological safety is a key driver of safety and success in all industries—not just aviation.
The Role of Leadership in Psychological Safety
One of the most striking insights from Grant’s discussion was the role of leadership in creating psychological safety. Many assume it’s the responsibility of employees to foster a safe team environment, but in reality, leaders set the tone. Captain Wilson, a guest on the podcast, explained that strong standards and accountability—when delivered in a psychologically safe environment—can motivate employees to strive for excellence rather than operate from a place of fear.
At Spring Safety Consultants, we help businesses understand that psychological safety is not about avoiding discipline or lowering standards. Instead, it’s about ensuring that employees feel empowered to raise concerns and contribute to continuous improvement.
Why Psychological Safety Matters in High-Risk Industries
Industries such as construction, mining, and oil and gas have high-stakes environments where speaking up about hazards can prevent injuries—or even save lives. Yet, workers in these industries often hesitate to voice concerns due to fear of repercussions. Research supports this reality: a meta-analysis by Frazier et al. (2017) found that leadership behaviors, team dynamics, and organizational culture play a significant role in fostering psychological safety.
When workers feel psychologically safe, they are more likely to:
- Report safety hazards
- Engage in problem-solving discussions
- Learn from mistakes instead of covering them up
- Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement
Practical Steps to Build a Psychologically Safe Workplace
Building psychological safety doesn’t happen overnight, but businesses can take concrete steps to foster a more open and safe work environment:
- Encourage Open Communication: Leaders should actively seek input from team members and create opportunities for open discussions.
- Model Vulnerability: When leaders admit their own mistakes, it sets the tone that learning and growth are valued.
- Recognize and Reward Speaking Up: Acknowledge employees who raise concerns or share ideas to reinforce positive behavior.
- Provide Training: Equip leaders with the skills to create a psychologically safe environment through targeted training.
- Use Storytelling: Share real-world examples, such as the Boeing case, to illustrate the consequences of poor psychological safety.
Creating a Safer Workplaces
At Spring Safety Consultants, we work with organisations to assess their workplace culture and implement strategies that promote psychological safety. Whether you’re in mining, construction, or any high-risk industry, fostering a workplace where employees feel safe to speak up is crucial for both safety and success.
If you’re interested in improving psychological safety in your workplace, we have registered organisational psychologists, on hand to support your team today! Together, we can build a culture where employees feel valued, heard, and empowered to contribute to a safer work environment.
Contact Spring Safety Consultants today to learn more about how we can help your organization thrive!
References
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Carmeli, A., & Gittell, J. H. (2009). High‐quality relationships, psychological safety, and learning
from failures in work organizations. Journal of Organizational Behavior, 30(6), 709–729.
https://doi.org/10.1002/job.565
Frazier, M. L., Fainshmidt, S., Klinger, R. L., Pezeshkan, A., & Vracheva, V. (2017). Psychological
safety: A meta‐analytic review and extension. Personnel Psychology, 70(1), 113–165.
https://doi.org/10.1111/peps.12183
Grant, A. (2023, October 3). Is it safe to speak up at work? [Audio podcast episode]. In WorkLife
with Adam Grant. TED Audio Collective.
Salas, E., Reyes, D. L., & McDaniel, S. H. (2018). The science of teamwork: Progress, reflections,
and the road ahead. American Psychologist, 73(4), 593–600.
https://doi.org/10.1037/amp0000334
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