10 barriers to psychological safety for teams

Built on the legendary research paper by Amy C. Edmondson "Psychological Safety and Learning Behavior in Work Teams"

1.  Fear of Negative Consequences 

Individuals may fear that admitting mistakes, asking for help, or sharing unconventional ideas could lead to negative consequences, such as being judged, blamed, or punished.

Example : A team member has an idea for improving a process but hesitates to share it because, in a previous meeting, another colleague’s suggestion was dismissed harshly by the manager.

2.  Lack of Trust

Trust issues within a team can inhibit open communication. Without trust, team members are less likely to feel safe to express their thoughts and take risks.

Example : During a retrospective, a developer refrains from mentioning that they need help with a new technology because they believe their team will judge them as incompetent.  

3.  High Stakes Environment

In high-stakes environments, the pressure to perform perfectly can discourage individuals from admitting errors or seeking help, as the perceived costs of doing so are too high.

Example : In a project with a tight deadline, a t…