Psychological Safety: How to Create It For Yourself

At this point in my life and career, I mostly feel confident and clear about my leadership and what I aim to accomplish. But it wasn't always this way. There was a time when I felt vulnerable and uneasy in my role. I doubted my knowledge and capabilities and felt psychologically unsafe.

I remember leading my team in an organizational redesign project for a Big 8 accounting firm in Times Square, New York. My consulting firm was hired, because of our successful track record with large global corporations.

However, the professionals we encountered were aggressive and belittling from the start. The organization was mired in conflict about its future, with each side attempting to use us as a weapon against the other. 

Instead of exerting the leadership I had demonstrated in the past, I allowed them to create a psychologically unsafe environment for me and my team. The belittling made me question why a young professional from Kentucky was trying to work with a sophisticated accounting firm in NYC.

Our redesign work with this client did not succeed.

So, what could I have done differently? This firm didn't care about creating a safe space for productive discussions. They were too busy sabotaging each other and my team. I couldn't change their culture, but I could have created psychological safety for myself and my team. Had I refused to let them intimidate me, I could have assumed the posture of a curious observer and facilitator, confident in my values, expertise, and leadership capabilities.

You Can't Always Count on Others 

We all want to feel psychologically safe at work, but we can't always count on others to provide this safety. One way some leaders deal with feeling unsafe is to become harsh leaders who command respect. However, this tactic is unlikely to hold up over the long term and often falls short even in the short term.

Another way to deal with the tensions is to look inward and develop the confidence and tenacity to be a different kind of leader. This inner strength comes from firm convictions, a clear mission, and a strong sense of self.  

The Power of a Leadership Mission Statement

One effective strategy to build internal confidence and resilience is to clarify your values and mission as a leader and hold tight to it when others are pummeling you. A personal leadership mission statement is a declaration that encapsulates your core values, vision, and purpose as a leader. This mission statement is a guiding light, helping you stay grounded and focused, even amidst external negativity. It enables you to create your own psychological safety.

The Long-Term Benefits

By creating a psychologically safe space through a clear and consistent mission and values, you empower yourself to lead authentically. As you consistently demonstrate confidence, composure, and clarity, your team and clients will come to respect and trust you more over time.

In the best-case scenario, destructive behaviors characteristic of an unsafe environment will diminish, and a more collaborative and respectful culture will emerge.

Of course, this happy ending can't always be guaranteed. However, even if the culture doesn't change, you can maintain your confidence and well-being as a leader.

If the culture doesn't improve despite your best efforts, you will understand that you must move on and find another way to lead successfully. You will not doubt your values nor allow yourself to be broken. Instead, you will use your strong inner core and mission statement to find another time and place to lead.

Remember, leadership is not about immediate acceptance but about earning respect through consistent, value-driven actions. By focusing on your mission and building your internal resilience, you can find the right place and the best way to have the impact you desire.