Psychological Safety Meets Performance – Why Trust Is the New Competitive Advantage
- Brainz Magazine
- 12 hours ago
- 5 min read
Written by Adam Markel, Author & Wellness Expert
Bestselling author, keynote speaker, workplace expert, and resilience researcher Adam Markel inspires leaders to master the challenges of massive disruption in his new book.
Things are moving faster than ever at work, and everyone is feeling the strain. The pressure to adapt and come up with new ideas isn't just a nice-to-have, it's how you stay in the game. But here’s the thing that often gets missed, none of that amazing stuff happens without trust. Trust is the glue that holds great teams together, allowing them to be resilient and truly collaborative. And the secret to building that trust is creating a space of psychological safety.
It might sound like the latest business buzzword, but it’s actually a game-changer for any group trying to accomplish something meaningful, especially when things get chaotic.
What is psychological safety, and why does it matter?
Psychological safety, a term coined by Dr. Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School, refers to an environment where individuals feel safe to take risks, voice their opinions, and make mistakes without fear of judgment or reprisal. It’s the freedom to be vulnerable, to experiment, and to fail forward, all of which are essential for resilience and innovation.
When people feel safe, they’re more likely to share bold ideas, challenge the status quo, and collaborate openly. On the other hand, a lack of psychological safety holds back creativity, breeds fear, and ultimately eats away trust. And without trust, resilience, the ability to bounce back from setbacks and adapt to change, becomes nearly impossible.
The intersection of high-performance cultures and emotional safety
Here's the crazy part, many companies push their teams for top-tier performance but create a culture of fear that makes it impossible. They demand incredible results but completely forget about the human beings who are supposed to deliver them.
The truth is, a high-performing culture and a safe one aren't opposites. They're two sides of the same coin, you simply can't have one without the other.
Psychological safety is the secret sauce that allows high-performance teams to thrive. When people feel safe, they’re more engaged, more innovative, and more willing to go the extra mile. They’re not just surviving, they’re thriving. And that’s where the magic happens.
How trust boosts agility, collaboration, and adaptability
Trust is the glue that holds teams together, especially under pressure. It’s what allows agility, the ability to pivot quickly in response to changing circumstances. It’s what fosters collaboration, the willingness to share knowledge and work toward a common goal. And it’s what drives adaptability, the resilience to navigate uncertainty and emerge stronger on the other side.
When trust is present, teams become more than the sum of their parts. They communicate openly, support one another, and take challenges head-on. They’re not afraid to fail because they know failure is just a stepping stone to success. And in a world where change is the only constant, that kind of trust is priceless.
Leadership behaviors that build (or erode) psychological safety
Leadership sets the tone for psychological safety. It’s not just about what leaders say, it’s about what they do. Consistent behaviors and cultural rituals are the bedrock of trust. Below are some key leadership behaviors that promote psychological safety:
Lead with vulnerability. This isn’t about oversharing, it's about being human. It’s a leader saying, “I’m not sure what the right answer is here, what are you all seeing?” or “I was wrong about that assumption.” When you admit your own fallibility, you give everyone else permission to be human, too. It’s a powerful signal that perfection isn’t expected.
Champion curiosity. Actively invite dissent. Instead of asking, “Does everyone agree?” try asking, “What are we missing?” or “Who has a different perspective?” When someone raises a concern, thank them for their courage. You are rewarding the very behavior you want to see more of.
Framework as a learning process. Not every project will be a home run. Instead of creating a culture where failure is a fireable offense, create one where it’s a source of data. Celebrate the lessons learned from a failed experiment. Recognize the effort and the intelligent risk-taking, not just the successful outcome. This encourages the kind of experimentation that leads to innovation.
Be predictably reliable. Trust is built on consistency. Do what you say you’re going to do. If you promise to follow up, follow up. If you set a rule, apply it fairly to everyone. Your team needs to know that the ground beneath their feet is solid, not constantly shifting.
Unfortunately, it’s easy to tear this net apart. Micromanaging, publicly criticizing someone, playing favorites, or saying one thing in a meeting and doing another are behaviors that inject fear and uncertainty into a team and can undo months of trust-building in an instant.
Measuring, nurturing, and reinforcing trust
Building trust is not a one-and-done effort, it’s an ongoing process that requires intention and attention. Here’s how organizations can measure, nurture, and reinforce trust at all levels:
Conduct engagement surveys: Regularly assess how safe and supported employees feel. Use the data to identify gaps and take corrective action.
Invest in leadership development: Equip leaders with the skills to foster psychological safety, such as active listening, empathy, and emotional intelligence.
Establish clear values and expectations: A strong sense of purpose and shared values creates alignment and trust. Make sure these are communicated consistently across the organization.
Celebrate wins and learn from losses: Create a culture where successes are celebrated, and failures are seen as opportunities for growth.
Lead by example: Trust starts at the top. When leaders embody the values of transparency, accountability, and respect, it sets the tone for the entire organization.
The ripple effect of psychological safety
The benefits of psychological safety extend far beyond the workplace. When people feel safe and supported at work, they carry that sense of well-being into their personal lives and communities. It’s a ripple effect that fosters resilience, connection, and growth on a larger scale.
So, as leaders, the question is not whether we can afford to invest in psychological safety, it’s whether we can afford not to. Because in a world where trust is the new competitive advantage, the organizations that prioritize psychological safety will be the ones that not only survive but thrive.
Adam Markel, Author & Wellness Expert
Bestselling author, keynote speaker, workplace expert, and resilience researcher Adam Markel inspires leaders to master the challenges of massive disruption in his new book, “Change Proof – Leveraging the Power of Uncertainty to Build Long-Term Resilience” (McGraw-Hill, Feb. 22, 2022). Adam is the author of the 1 Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Los Angeles Times, and Publishers Weekly bestseller, “Pivot: The Art & Science of Reinventing Your Career and Life.”
