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As I reflected on various experiences from the past week, I found myself drawn to an article by Matthew Syed titled ‘Why Psychological Safety is Mission Critical.’ It triggered memories from my upbringing, especially my mum’s wisdom: “Don’t speak until you’re spoken to” and the evolved version, “Don’t speak unless you have something useful to say.” These were common sayings in the 60s and 70s, and they carried valuable advice, particularly when interacting with adults in an era where children were expected to be seen and not heard.

Matthew’s article prompted me to not only reminisce about the past but also to focus on the present. It underscores the importance of cultivating a team culture that not only has the confidence to speak out but also backs it up with a clear rationale or viewpoint. Equally important is the need to feel trusted enough to say, “I’m not sure about this, what do you think?” The significance of speaking up, having the confidence to do so, and remaining open to diverse perspectives cannot be overstated. Our mission depends on it.

Our team boasts an incredible measure of diversity and years of collective experience. Without harnessing this diversity and encouraging it to thrive, we cannot become the exceptional team we aspire to be or achieve the results we deserve. Speaking up often requires courage, but staying silent can have consequences. Finding the balance between promoting trust, welcoming different perspectives, and avoiding penalties or censorship is challenging but mission-critical for our long-term success.

Matthew’s point about balancing niceness with constructive feedback is as crucial as encouraging open dialogue. Feedback is essential for growth and performance, just as being embraced by a trusting team is. FDR. Roosevelt wisely acknowledged, “There is no effort without error and shortcoming.” We are all human, and while we may believe we are right, we all need course correction from time to time. My mum also had a platitude, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it,” is a life lesson that applies universally as I have found out on a few occasions.

In the complex and challenging world we operate in, success can only be achieved through teamwork. Collaboration and teamwork are essential components of wise judgment and achievement. While not all engagements are open or aligned, this reinforces the need to establish and ensure our own psychological safety when working together. As Matthew aptly puts it, a team with a high level of psychological safety “effectively denotes a team where people fearlessly share ideas and debate them as a way of reaching rapid, high-quality judgments.”

In addition to creating space, building trust, and encouraging diverse perspectives, we must not shy away from offering respectful, well-toned advice and receiving it with the intent it is given. Let’s also be deliberate about recognizing that deep psychological safety gives us a mindset advantage, which is vital for our collective success and mission.

To wrap up, I was reminded of Emeli Sandé’s song, ‘Read all about it Pt3,’ which carries a profound message: “You’ve got the words to change a nation, but you’re biting your tongue. You’ve spent a lifetime stuck in silence, afraid you’ll say something wrong.” Let’s not let fear hold us back. Instead, let’s embrace open communication, trust, and diversity to propel us toward our mission.