Psychological safety is a concept that was first developed by social scientist Edgar Schein. It refers to an individual’s perception of their own sense of security and safety within their work environment. This feeling of safety is engendered by the positive, supportive and respectful interactions between team members, and is seen as a crucial factor in increasing team performance and productivity. Psychological safety also involves an element of trust and responsibility, whereby members of the team are comfortable sharing their opinions, ideas and feelings without fear of discrimination or judgement. In essence, psychological safety is an environment in which team members feel confident and secure enough to take risks, ask questions and pursue creative solutions without fear of reproach or ridicule.

See also: social capital, emotional intelligence, community building