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 work suit. And it's not just fear of punishment or dismissal. People keep quiet to avoid embarrassment, loss of face or being the messenger of bad news. Not wanting to upset or insult the boss is also a common reason why employees prefer to keep their opinions to themselves. Why is it dangerous for business? Why did the space shuttle crash, planes collide and giants like Volkswagen and Nokia nearly go under? Amy Edmondson, Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, uses examples from a wide range of industries to show that psychological safety influences not only an organisation's financial performance, but can also in some cases help to avoid collapse and real tragedy. Of course, not every idea is good and not every question is appropriate, but it is far worse when employees are afraid to express any ideas, ask questions or report problems. It is vital today to create an environment in organisations where the interpersonal climate does not lead to suppression, silence, ridicule or intimidation. To ensure that there is always room for innovation in a company, an environment that fosters the mutual exchange of knowledge between people is required! 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 culture free from fear now, and very soon your business will receive the strongest charge of knowledge, ideas and innovation!