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On 20 February, we had the pleasure of hosting our first Visionary Voices webinar of the year, where we invited industry giants to explore the vital topic of psychological safety and its role in fostering inclusion and belonging in the workplace.
If you weren’t able to attend, don’t worry! We’ve compiled three key takeaways to help you create a more supportive work environment.
#1 The Importance of Soft Skills
One of the first insights we gained was the significant impact that soft skills can have on psychological safety.
Our charming mediator, Emellia Shariff (CEO, MIDP), along with our esteemed speakers Shahrizan Aini (Chief Human Resources Officer, SD Guthrie Berhad), Dr. Raslan Rashid (Director of Strategic Human Capital Management, Khazanah Nasional), and Jordan Chong (HR Business Partner, AstraZeneca), emphasized the importance of emotional intelligence (EQ) and empathy in leadership.
Good communication, self-awareness regarding biases, and the ability to remain calm under pressure are essential traits for leaders. Moreover, vulnerability plays a crucial role; when leaders show their human side, it creates a safe space for team members to express themselves freely.
Jordan also reminded us that predictability in leadership is key. Leaders should reflect on how their words and actions impact their teams, creating a consistent environment where everyone feels valued.
#2 Building Habits for Psychological Safety
Next, we delved into the habits that can help maintain psychological safety within teams. Dr. Raslan shared a valuable tip: always invite opinions and input from your team members.
Jordan added that people managers should come prepared for conversations, clearly outlining the agenda. For those who may not feel comfortable speaking up, tools like the whiteboard function can be utilised for anonymous feedback, allowing individuals with varying personality types to express their thoughts.
Shahrizan highlighted the importance of setting the tone as a leader. Engaging with your team and gathering real feedback on how your behaviour is perceived is crucial. It’s all about being proactive and genuinely interested in your team’s feelings and experiences.
"If we think about it at the end of the day, why do we need Psychological Safety? Without sugarcoating it, it is ultimately about the quality of work and the productivity of the organisation. We need to spend more time and effort to help leaders see the critical difference between making people feel safe, and just being 'nice'.” – Jordan Chong, HR Business Partner, AstraZeneca
#3 Practice Makes Perfect
One of the most powerful messages from the webinar was that psychological safety is not merely a buzzword or a theoretical concept; it requires daily practice in the habits and behaviors of leaders and managers. The soft skills and habits we discussed should be woven into the very fabric of your leadership style.
If you find yourself struggling to develop this competency, consider advocating for training programs within your organization. After all, a psychologically safe workplace is a thriving workplace!
Final Thoughts
Creating a culture of psychological safety is a journey, not a destination. It requires commitment, practice, and a willingness to grow. We hope this recap inspires you to take actionable steps toward fostering a more inclusive and supportive work environment.
Thank you for joining us for this enlightening session! Let’s keep the conversation going and work together to make our workplaces better for everyone. Until next time! ✨
We’d love to hear your thoughts or experiences related to psychological safety in the comments below!
Watch the Recap on LinkedIn Live
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