When have you seen psychological safety in action? A few weeks ago, my youngest son, who is fifteen, had a dentist appointment. Unlike me, my kids have always enjoyed going to the dentist—or at least not dreaded it. I was always thankful, especially when they were little, that trips to the dentist didn’t end in a meltdown. And I give a lot of credit to the pediatric dentist and her staff for that.
They had a way of making kids feel completely at ease. What helped my son feel comfortable—even in a situation where many kids (and adults!) feel anxious—was something we talk about often in leadership: psychological safety.
The dental team welcomed questions. They showed the kids the tools, explained what they were going to do, and used language they could understand. The unknown wasn’t scary—because it wasn’t unknown anymore. Step by step, they built trust by creating an environment where curiosity was encouraged and no question was too small.
That approach didn’t just reduce fear—it actually made him want to be there. Psychological safety in action.
What ‘Psychological Safety in Action’ Means for Leaders
The same principles apply at work. If we want people to show up fully, stay engaged, and take ownership, we have to create spaces where they feel safe to ask questions, express concerns, and understand the “why” behind what we’re doing.
Motivation isn’t about pizza parties or quick perks. It’s about creating a culture where people feel energized, committed, and able to perform at their best—a culture grounded in trust and growth.
Why Psychological Safety Matters
At Horizon Point, we talk a lot about psychological safety—the belief that it’s okay to speak up, ask questions, and offer ideas without fear of negative repercussions. In fact, Google’s Project Aristotle found that psychological safety is the most important factor in high-performing teams. When it’s present, employees are more likely to contribute, take initiative, and stay engaged.
Safety Isn’t Soft—It’s Strong
But psychological safety alone isn’t enough. Part of a psychologically safe environment is the ability to manage conflict successfully. Too often, leaders avoid conflict to “keep the peace.” But as Amy Edmondson—one of the top authorities on psychological safety—says:
“Psychological safety is not about being nice. It’s about giving candid feedback, openly admitting mistakes, and learning from each other.”
Kim Scott, in her book Radical Candor, builds on this idea: leaders must care personally and challenge directly. Avoiding conflict isn’t protecting your team—it’s often self-serving. It creates distrust, fuels passive-aggression and resentment, and slows innovation.
You need both – safety and conflict management skills. A team with psychological safety but no conflict skills becomes stagnant. A team with conflict skills but no psychological safety stays silent out of fear. Psychological safety in action is the foundation; healthy conflict is the catalyst for growth.
Lead with Vulnerability and Structure
As leaders, we set the tone by modeling vulnerability. That means admitting mistakes, inviting feedback, and showing up even when we’re unsure. As Brené Brown says in Dare to Lead:
“Vulnerability is not winning or losing; it’s having the courage to show up and be seen when we have no control over the outcome.”
By showing vulnerability as a leader, you give your team permission to do the same. Of course, this comes with guardrails:
- Structure how concerns are raised.
- Ensure communication is professional and constructive.
- Recognize and reward honest feedback and collaboration—not just results.
Motivated Teams Are Aligned, Not Always in Agreement
Having a psychologically safe team that manages conflict well doesn’t mean everyone agrees all the time. It means team members respect each other’s different views and work through them constructively. Motivated teams aren’t always in agreement – they’re in alignment. That’s psychological safety in action.
Books, books, books!
Want to know more about the books Lorrie mentioned this week? Check them out on our Bookshop.org featured list:
