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No more tiptoeing: cultivate a culture of psychological safety
If there's one thing that can genuinely elevate your design team's performance, it's psychological safety.
Imagine creating an environment where every designer feels comfortable speaking their mind without the fear of punishment or humiliation.
We're talking about building a safety net that allows space for taking risks, admitting mistakes, asking questions, and offering fresh ideas.
It's all about fostering a culture where everyone can flourish and contribute their best without holding back.
Psychological safety works wonders for individuals too. It's like assessing the odds before making a bold move in a game of strategy. When individuals feel supported and encouraged to take interpersonal risks, they can unlock their true potential and push boundaries like never before.
Gone are the days of tiptoeing around, afraid to make a misstep. With psychological safety, we foster a culture where designer feels confident, knowing that their contributions are valued and that no one will whip out the humiliation whip for a simple slip-up.
Has your team nailed down the essence of psychological safety?
The brilliant Amy Edmondson has put together a straightforward questionnaire consisting of 7 questions that can give you valuable insights into your team's perception of psychological safety.
💡 It is safe to take a risk on this team.
💡 It isn't difficult to ask other team members for help.
💡 If you make a mistake on this team, it is not held against you.
💡 Members of this team can bring up problems and tough issues.
💡 People on this team sometimes accept others for being different.
💡 No one on this team would deliberately act in a way that undermines my efforts.
💡 Working with members of this team, my unique skills and talents are valued and utilized.
This framework is part of UX Management Playbook—made for first-time managers building healthier and happier design teams.
Best practices: Engage, Empathize and Excel
I've rounded up some best practices that will help foster an environment where designers feel empowered to contribute their best work and ideas.
Let's dive in:
- Demonstrate engagement: To cultivate a culture of psychological safety, it's essential to show genuine interest in your teammates' perspectives.
- Show understanding: Create an atmosphere of empathy and mutual understanding. Check your facial expressions, ensuring you don't unintentionally convey negativity.
- Be inclusive in interpersonal settings: Encourage openness and inclusivity within the team.
- Be inclusive in decision-making: Create a culture of shared decision-making. Solicit input, opinions, and feedback from your teammates.
- Show confidence and conviction without appearing inflexible: Strike a balance between confidence and openness to different perspectives.
Key takeaways
As we conclude, let's remember that psychological safety serves as a powerful catalyst for exceptional decision-making, fostering healthy group dynamics, and cultivating stronger interpersonal relationships.
It acts as a safety net that propels us toward success. Embrace it as an ongoing journey of learning and problem-solving, rather than a mere destination.
By nurturing and expanding this safety net, we unlock boundless growth potential and create an environment where achievements flourish.
Let's embark on this transformative journey and foster a culture of unwavering psychological safety within our design teams.
Good luck managers! 🍀
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