Every October, Safe Work Month reminds us to look out for the things that keep people physically safe – the gear, the systems, the signage, the checks. But there’s another kind of safety that’s just as critical and often overlooked: psychological safety.
Physical safety protects bodies. Psychological safety protects minds. And both are essential if you want teams that perform well, stay engaged and go home healthy.
What Psychological Safety Really Means
Psychological safety isn’t about being nice or avoiding tough feedback. It’s about creating an environment where people feel safe to speak up – to raise a concern, share an idea, admit a mistake or ask for help – without fear of embarrassment or punishment.
When people don’t feel safe, they stay silent. In high-risk or high-pressure environments, that silence can be dangerous. The best safety systems in the world can’t work if people are too afraid to use their voice.
How Leaders Build It
Leaders set the tone. You can’t buy psychological safety, but you can build it through daily behaviour:
- Ask, then listen. When someone raises a concern, don’t dismiss or defend. Hear them out.
- Own your mistakes. Admitting when you get it wrong gives others permission to do the same.
- Respond, don’t react. How you handle feedback or bad news teaches people whether it’s safe to be honest.
- Recognise courage. Thank people for speaking up, even when it’s uncomfortable.
The Link Between Safety and Performance
When teams feel psychologically safe, they catch problems earlier, learn faster and collaborate better. They report near misses, share lessons and innovate because they trust each other.
When they don’t, errors get hidden, risks go unspoken and engagement drops. The result? Lower performance and higher turnover – the opposite of what any safety culture aims for.
The Takeaway
This Safe Work Month, take a fresh look at what “safe” really means. PPE protects people from physical harm. Psychological safety protects them from silence, stress and burnout. Leaders who make space for both don’t just prevent accidents, they build teams that thrive