Creating psychological safety is only possible when you understand the differences in people.
In my professional environment, I always had a good rapport with everyone. At least, that's what I thought. While it's easier to connect with some people than others, I never questioned whether the environment I created was psychologically safe. If someone had a problem or wanted to discuss something, they could always walk into my office. My door was always open. Yet, I sometimes received signals that someone found it difficult and therefore refrained from discussing their problem with me. When I found out indirectly, I really wanted to know why they didn't. Often, I'd get a response that it wasn't that important after all, and that it was already resolved. Such a reaction wasn't always satisfying, but it never occurred to me at the time that it might have been my fault. Looking back now, I can only conclude that it wasn't always a safe space with me. And at the same time, you have to realize that not everything comes to light. It's therefore high time to always ask yourself: Is it truly safe with me? Do people feel free to talk to me without fear? And that applies not only to me but to everyone.
What is psychological unsafety?
Nowadays, safety is rightly receiving increasing attention. This often focuses on social insecurity or inappropriate behavior, emphasizing verbal abuse, intimidation, public humiliation, and bullying. However, this differs from psychological unsafety, which primarily concerns interactions between people. For instance, someone might not feel free to express themselves, or they might convince themselves that discussing something is pointless because they believe they won't be heard or taken seriously. The thought of being gossiped about can also create a sense of unsafety. And experiencing unsafety is certainly not limited to the workplace; it can also occur in one's private life.
When is it psychologically safe?
A climate of psychological safety only truly exists when individuals feel free to express themselves, take risks, ask questions, admit mistakes, and explore new ideas, without having to fear negative reactions or, in extreme cases, strong (verbal) rejection or humiliation. Dr. Amy Robinson, a pioneer in the field of psychological safety, has extensively documented the importance of psychological safety for effective collaboration and performance in organizations through her research into team dynamics and organizational culture. This is because safety is crucial for fostering open communication, learning, and innovation.
How does insecurity arise?
The cause of insecurity is primarily related to the (significant) differences in individuals' personalities.
And because of these differences, the experience of insecurity is not the same for everyone. What might be perfectly fine for one person can be perceived as unsafe by another. Understanding these differences is therefore a prerequisite for creating a safe environment.
Understanding differences in people
The Process Communication Model® (PCM), the world's leading behavioral observation and communication tool, is a powerful instrument that helps with this. PCM not only provides insight but also practical tools on how to deal with it, minimizing the risk of psychological unsafety. This language-based model identifies six unique perceptual frameworks, or six perceptual preferences. These perceptual frameworks are expressed, among other things, in how someone thinks, speaks, and reacts, or in how they prefer to communicate. Recognizing these different perceptual frameworks and accepting diversity are essential pillars for establishing psychological safety. When this recognition is lacking, there is a high probability that we unintentionally send a signal that someone is not valued due to their perspective and way of thinking and speaking. It then becomes scary to reveal your true self. The tension that arises then undeniably leads to stress, which reinforces the process of unsafety.
Six perceptual frameworks
Learn about the six perceptual frameworks and how you can use them to create a psychologically safe environment for everyone.
- Feelings
Approximately 30% of the population experiences the world through
their emotions. They feel with their heart and gut and react to the
world around them based on their feelings. They might experience inconsistency or a (potential) problem
by having a feeling they cannot logically explain,
but their intuition tells them something is not right.
How to create psychological safety for them? Invite
them to share their feelings without having to defend, explain,
or justify them. Appreciate them for who they are, with their feelings and
emotions.
- Thoughts
Approximately 25% of the population experiences the world through
their thoughts. They absorb information and process it logically,
looking for patterns and connections. They seek rational explanations and become
concerned when things don't make logical sense or when they can
predict a negative outcome.
How to create psychological safety for them?
Listen to their analysis and become curious about the thinking behind it. Appreciate
them for their dedication and logical way of thinking.
- Responses
Approximately 20% of the population experiences the world
intuitively. They react reflexively to what comes their way. They instinctively
know what they like or dislike and wear their heart on their sleeve. If
something isn't right, their face and body show it before they've even thought
about it. They simply react spontaneously, even if they don't like it.
How to create psychological safety for them?
Do not judge them by their expressions or draw hasty conclusions
from them. Appreciate them for their spontaneous candor.
- Opinions
Approximately 10% of the population experiences the world
based on their opinions, by forming a view on things. They evaluate what comes
their way and how it relates to their values. They become concerned if, in
their eyes, things deviate from norms and are hyper-alert to inconsistencies. They
are often not afraid to share their perspective or opinion.
How to create psychological safety for them? Listen
to their opinion, even if you don't agree with it. Appreciate them for their
dedication and commitment.
- Reflections
Approximately 10% of the population experiences the world through
reflection. They absorb what they see and imaginatively ponder
possibilities, causing thoughts to swirl in their minds. They need time to
process things, which means they typically don't take immediate (re)actions.
How to create psychological safety for them? Do not
pressure them to respond or give feedback. Give them time and
space and appreciate them for their imagination and out-of-the-box thinking.
- Actions
Approximately 5% of the population experiences the world through actions,
meaning by putting thoughts and people into motion. They have a strong
sense of urgency and view indecisiveness as a risk. They usually
don't think twice before speaking up or taking action.
How to create psychological safety for them?
Invite them to outline what they see as immediate
action steps. Leverage their sense of urgency and appreciate their
initiatives.
Perceptions and unconscious biases
When it comes to psychological safety, applying the Golden Rule can be a risk. If 'treat others as you would like to be treated' means creating a safe space based on your preferred perception, then there's a high chance you might unintentionally create an unsafe space for people with different perceptual preferences. To create a truly safe environment, it's about being able to apply the Platinum Rule: 'treat others as they wish to be treated'.
In the introduction to this blog, I shared a negative personal experience and how I unconsciously ignored it. The unfortunate thing is that when you notice someone perceives your approach and actions as unsafe, unconscious prejudices also arise about that person.
My strongest perceptions are those of thoughts and actions. It's easy to communicate with those who share the same perceptual preferences. You naturally hear and understand each other, and the chance of discomfort is small. This is very different with those who have a different preferred perception. With them, you can unintentionally find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
Therefore, consider the following questions:
- Which
preferred perception is most common in your team? What consequences can that
have for people with other preferences and for you as a leader? - Which perceptions
are most difficult for you to understand and appreciate? What unconscious
biases might you have about people with these preferences? And what can and
will you do to prevent that? - How are
mistakes handled and responded to? Is there a safe environment to
express mistakes from all six perceptual frameworks? - What would be different
if you were to approach challenges from various perceptual reference frameworks
?
The most effective teams understand that psychological safety means truly understanding each other and tailoring our communication. This way, we invite people to be themselves and feel safe in any situation.
Prevent psychological insecurity
The question you should always ask yourself is: “How can I prevent a psychologically unsafe situation from arising for myself?” To answer this, you must always be aware of your own behavior. PCM offers a wonderful tool that provides insight and practical guidance to help you understand yourself, including your potential pitfalls, communication preferences, and how these interact with others. Moreover, it also gives you strategies, for example, on how to build connections and reduce the likelihood of stress.
Do you want to learn more about how PCM works and the benefits it brings to your life, both professionally and personally? Then contact us or sign up for a training. Discover the power of PCM.
M 06 – 46 85 24 00 E info@bsiec.nl I www.BSIEC.nl
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