Creating Psychologically Safe Learning Environments

High 5 trainers Phil Brown and Lisa Hunt spoke with experiential learning expert Romy Alexandra on Vertical Playpen, a weekly High 5 podcast, about how to create psychological safety in adult or student learning environments. Romy’s definition of psychological safety is “rewarded vulnerability,” underscoring the essential “safety” component.

Romy, Lisa, and Phil explored the subtle ways in which psychological safety in learning environments can be enhanced or undermined. Their suggestions include:

• Plan the Physical Space: Safety is created in the way a meeting room or classroom is set up, even before anyone enters. Consider the different messages sent by a room with chairs in a circle vs. theater style (all facing the front of the room) in terms of how the participants are meant to interact.
• Set Expectations: Because vulnerability happens when everyone participates, set the expectation that everyone present will be contributors and co-creators, rather than “consumers” of information. Even students can contribute to their own learning.
• Provide “Challenge by Choice”: We all have our different zones: a comfort zone, a challenge zone, or a panic zone. Where possible, provide a choice of activity or level of participation based on individual needs. In doing so, you give weight to the process, not just the outcome, and respect individual journeys.
• Model Vulnerability: When you are the leader or teacher, you can model vulnerability by participating as an equal with your group in certain activities. 
• Watch for Evaluative Words: Be careful with statements like, “This will be an easy lesson.” For some people, it may not be, but you’ve removed their psychological safety by declaring it so. Similarly, “That’s a great question,” may create less safety for others who think their questions are not equally impressive.
• Manage the Discussion: You can create psychological safety by pausing before beginning a discussion. Research shows that introverted people need more time to gather their thoughts and a pause puts everyone on a more level playing field. Ensure that all voices in the room are heard when it’s time for participation, not just the loudest or most persuasive.
• Mine for Opposite Experiences: Based on Google’s example, one of the most powerful ways to create psychological safety is to ensure that each experience is honored without judgment. When a strong opinion is expressed, you as a leader can facilitate a safe environment by encouraging those with the opposite experience to share next.

Psychological safety can contribute greatly to the success of a group, whether in a business or learning environment. And that success builds more success.