Psychological safety is not the same as comfort

Psychological safety is not the same as comfort. Sometimes, I wonder that this is not well understood?

Amy Edmondson coined the term, psychological safety, to mean a belief that the environment context is safe for taking interpersonal (or, I wonder, intra-personal) risks). For example: speaking up with a new idea when you are unsure whether it will be well received, or approaching a more senior leader, or asking a question or raising a concern, or coming forward with a mistake. These things are usually not "comfortable".

I'm also not saying that comfort is bad. I think comfort is great! Sometimes - but not too much. Perhaps this could even be a #polaritymap? Comfort/ease on one end, and discomfort/taking risks on the other. Both are useful and it's about noticing how, when, why we are choosing between these, for better longer term outcomes.

#psychologicalsafety #leadershipcoaching #verticaldevelopment #polaritymanagement #springleadership