How communicators can foster a culture of psychological safety

Employee engagement in the time of COVID-19 has been a complex and challenging matter. In addition to maintaining a consistent, continuous flow of information and supporting the business as usual, internal communications is also needed to meet employees where they were physically and emotionally, utilizing more thoughtful ways to foster inclusion and belonging—well beyond business as usual.

From fluctuating COVID numbers to natural disasters, economic and political pressures, and sudden outbreaks of conflict, many of us around the globe continue to experience uncertainty and adversity today. It is times like this when teams are at their most vulnerable that psychological safety matters the most, because of its power to give employees a sense of normalcy, safety, and comfort when the world around us is in turmoil.

The term psychological safety was coined by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson. It is about making everyone feel safe to be their true selves, to speak up, to express themselves, and to appear vulnerable in front of others. It is also reinforcing the belief that we can and should share our ideas, questions, and concerns openly, feel heard and know that our unique perspectives and experiences are both welcomed and appreciated.