Team Cognitive Health playbook/Module 6 · Psychological safety

Day 52 / 100 · Psychological safety · The four stages

Safety is built in stages.

Timothy R. Clark describes four stages of psychological safety. Each one builds on the one before, and you can't skip to challenge.

1 · Inclusion

“I Belong Here.”

  • Accepted for who you are
  • Invited in, not just allowed in

2 · Learner

“I Can Ask And Fail.”

  • Questions are welcome
  • Mistakes are treated as learning

3 · Contributor

“My Work Counts.”

  • Trusted to add real value
  • Given autonomy and a voice

4 · Challenger

“I Can Question How We Do Things.”

  • Safe to challenge the status quo
  • Even when the boss likes it

Source: LeaderFactor ↗

Include, invite, then welcome the challenge.