The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth

Fear is a powerful psychological gag that, in some (and in fact in many) companies, becomes part of the official work uniform. It’s not only about the fear of punishment or being fired. People stay silent to avoid an awkward situation, to not lose face, or to avoid becoming the messenger of bad news. Reluctance to upset or insult a boss is also a common reason employees prefer to keep their opinions to themselves. Why is this dangerous for business? Why did a space shuttle crash, airplanes collide, and huge companies like Volkswagen and Nokia nearly go under?

Amy Edmondson, a professor of leadership and management at Harvard Business School, uses many examples from a wide range of industries to show that psychological safety affects not only an organization’s financial performance, but in some cases also allows you to avoid collapse and real tragedies. Of course, not every idea is good and not every question is appropriate—but it’s much worse when employees are afraid to speak up with ideas, ask questions, or report problems.

Today, it’s vital to create in organizations an environment where interpersonal climate does not lead to suppression, silence, mockery, or intimidation. For a company to always have room for innovation, it needs an atmosphere that encourages the mutual exchange of knowledge between people! And knowledge includes doubts, questions, mistakes, and failures. Don’t be afraid to hear the truth—don’t strive only for good news! Start building a fear-free culture now, and very soon your business will receive a powerful boost of knowledge, ideas, and innovation!