Home 9 Uncategorized 9 Cracking the Code: How Psychological Safety Fuels High-Performing Teams

Cracking the Code: How Psychological Safety Fuels High-Performing Teams

Oct 1, 2023 | Uncategorized

Organizational leaders have sought the secret to effective and productive teams for decades. In its quest to decode the DNA of high-performing teams, Google launched Project Aristotle, which aimed to uncover what makes teams thrive.

To unravel this mystery, Professor Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School examined teams of healthcare professionals in hospitals. She aimed to find a correlation between mistakes and teamwork. The hypothesis seemed straightforward: the most effective teams should make the fewest mistakes. However, the results turned this assumption on its head.

Professor Edmondson and Project Aristotle unearthed a groundbreaking insight when they found that the best-performing teams were making more errors. To understand this paradox, we need to delve into the idea of psychological safety.

Psychological safety means taking risks and embracing mistakes 

At its core, psychological safety is the shared belief among team members that it is not just okay but encouraged to take risks, raise concerns, ask difficult questions, and admit mistakes without fear of repercussions. 

The hospital team that made the most mistakes also had the best team dynamics. Why? They weren’t less competent or attentive than their counterparts, but they reported more errors because they felt safe taking responsibility for them. The result was a team that learned from each other and improved processes to avoid future pitfalls.

Project Aristotle key findings:

  • Team Composition Matters Less: Who is on the team matters less than how the team works together.
  • Psychological Safety Is Paramount: The most critical factor influencing team effectiveness is psychological safety.

The cost of lacking psychological safety

Think about those moments in your career when you found yourself walking on eggshells, hesitant to broach sensitive topics. Perhaps your superiors seemed impervious to constructive input, or critiques of a project were taken as personal attacks. It’s akin to navigating a minefield, where a single misstep can trigger verbal explosions and criticism. In these moments, the path of least resistance is silence. When you have to dance around a minefield to provide input, it’s easier to disengage and observe from the sidelines. You couldn’t see it then, but you could feel it—the absence of psychological safety. 

In environments lacking psychological safety, concerns remain unvoiced, errors are concealed, and problematic endeavors proceed unchecked. This default reaction breeds organizational apathy, leading to increased stress, burnout, turnover, and underperformance.

From fear to fearless: how psychological safety transforms workplaces

Psychological safety is a catalyst for innovation, engagement, and ultimately, healthier workplaces:

Enhances decision making

A culture of psychological safety fosters a learning environment where employees can collectively learn from one another’s mistakes. Well-informed decisions can only happen when there is space for team members to challenge the status quo, share their diverse perspectives, voice half-baked ideas, brainstorm out loud, ask for help, and pinpoint potential problems before they manifest.

Fosters a fearless culture

Learning is at the heart of progress, and failure is often the greatest teacher. Psychological safety is paramount when creating an environment where every team member can voice concerns and take responsibility for their mistakes without fear, fostering a culture where setbacks are learning curves.

Fuels innovation and engagement

Employees who feel their input and contributions are valued are more engaged. It creates a sense of belonging and responsibility where employees are invested in their work, transforming the workplace into a hub of collaboration and innovation.

Strengthens health and well-being

When employees feel secure expressing themselves, it reduces the stress and anxiety associated with difficult conversations or seeking help. They take fewer sick days due to stress-related illnesses or to avoid workplace hostility.

Dispelling misconceptions

Let’s address some misconceptions. Psychological safety isn’t about enforcing politeness, being overly nice, or avoiding discomfort. Policing teams for being too candid stifles difficult conversations and silences disagreements, trading short term discomfort for long term dysfunction. Rather, it is about creating an environment where voicing concerns, acknowledging errors, and asking hard questions are not just tolerated but encouraged. Yes, it can be uncomfortable. Vulnerability feels risky. However, these are the building blocks of growth, innovation, creativity, collaboration, and productivity.

The journey of Project Aristotle and the concept of psychological safety offer profound insights for workplace leaders. Embracing psychological safety isn’t just a strategy; it’s a cultural shift. It empowers your team, fuels innovation, and ultimately drives success. As leaders, it’s our responsibility to nurture this environment. When we do, we unlock the full potential of our teams and organizations.

From coffee to soda to energy drinks, caffeine is a part of daily life for many of us. And while it is naturally occurring, overconsumption can cause health problems such as increased blood pressure, heart palpitations, anxiety, headaches, and insomnia. For this blog, we sat down with Susie Roberts, a Registered Dietitian to discuss all things caffeine—why it’s such a big part of our lives, how much of it is in the food items many people enjoy regularly, and how much is too much. We’ll also talk about current trends and tips on how to boost your energy naturally so you can stop relying on caffeine to keep you energized throughout the day.

Q: Just this morning, I heard someone say “I’m not caffeinated enough for this day!” It really is such a big part of our daily lives. Why do you think that is?
A: It’s not surprising at all to hear that! About 90% of American adults consume caffeine daily. People are looking for ways to boost their energy and increase alertness and caffeine is readily available and socially acceptable.

Q: So, what exactly is caffeine, and how does it work?
A: Caffeine is a natural stimulant that affects the central nervous system. After consumption, it’s absorbed into the bloodstream and travels to the brain, where it blocks the effects of adenosine—a chemical that promotes sleep. This interference helps you feel more alert and awake.

Caffeine typically reaches your brain within 15 minutes, peaks in the bloodstream at 30 to 120 minutes, and has a half-life of 3 to 7 hours.

Q: Everyone knows that coffee and many soft drinks contain caffeine. But where else can it be found? If we are consuming these beverages and other items, how can we know the amount of caffeine we are getting?
A: Energy drinks have become very popular—especially among young adults. These contain not only caffeine, but may also have added sugars, so it’s a double whammy. Chocolate and many varieties of tea also contain caffeine. You may also want to check out any nutrition supplements or medications you are taking. And, many people may not realize it, but even decaf coffee contains a certain amount of caffeine.

How Much Caffeine Am I Really Getting

Q: How much is too much when it comes to caffeine?
A: For most healthy adults, the FDA says up to 400 mg per day is safe. That’s about 4 cups of coffee. But you need to remember, that’s based on an 8 oz cup. Many people order an extra-large coffee, so you need to be aware of exactly how much you are taking in. Each individual reacts differently to caffeine based on their genetics, medications, and sleep habits.

How Much Is Too Much? Make Sure You Know Your Limits.

Q: What are the current trends in caffeine consumption?
A: As I mentioned before, energy drinks are increasing in popularity. They haven’t taken over coffee in the top spot, but Americans spent $19.2 billion on them in 2023 and that’s expected to rise to $33 billion by 2030. Coffee remains at the top, accounting for 69% of total caffeine intake, an increase of 15% in the last decade. And while the number of tea drinkers has dropped by 50%, those who drink it are consuming more.

Current Caffeine Consumption Trends.

Q: How can I be more aware about the amount of caffeine I’m getting?
A: Mindful consumption of caffeine is being intentional about what, when, and how much you consume. Track your intake and pay attention to any potential unwanted side effects like jitters or difficulty getting to sleep or staying asleep. Are you sleeping 6-8 hours a night and waking refreshed? If not, consider a “hard stop” 10 hours before your bedtime. Remember, that cup of coffee you had at 8 am can potentially still be in your system at 5 pm, so it’s important to time it right. And finally, if you decide you want to reduce your caffeine consumption, do it slowly to minimize any withdrawal symptoms such as headaches.

Be Mindful of Your Caffeine Consumption.

Q: Sometimes though, you need extra energy when you hit that afternoon slump. Can you suggest any alternative ways to get that boost and avoid turning to caffeine?
A: There are a few simple ways you can get that energy boost. First, make sure you are hydrated. Water supports joint health, oxygen delivery, temperature regulation, skin health, and more. You also want to move—even a short walk or stretch break can help. Make sure your meals are balanced with a protein and complex carbs. And most importantly, rest and recover. Sometimes rest—not more coffee—is what your body needs.

How Can I Boost My Energy Naturally.

Q: So, what are your final thoughts on caffeine?
A:  Caffeine can be part of a healthy lifestyle and may even offer some health benefits—but it’s all about balance and awareness. If you’re reaching for that third cup of coffee at 3 pm, pause and ask: Am I actually tired, hungry, or just in a habit? And then give one of the things we talked about a try, to get that energy boost naturally and see if that caffeine craving goes away.

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