Make bad news safe.
Amy Edmondson's research, and Google's Project Aristotle, found psychological safety was central to team performance. In delivery it shows up in how early people raise problems.
Say “I don't know”
Leaders First
“I got that forecast wrong. Here's what I missed.”
Leaders go first so others can follow.
Thank the messenger
Reward Bad News
“Thanks for flagging it now, not in release week.”
Early warnings are a gift.
Learn, don't blame
Blameless
Ask how the system allowed it (Day 68).
Mistakes become lessons, not verdicts.
Sources: Google re:Work: Guide: Understand team effectiveness ↗ · NeuroLeadership Institute: Psychological Safety and Accountability: Insights From Amy Edmondson ↗
Make bad news safe to say early.