Psychological Safety: Do you Frighten or Brighten a Room?
Have you ever walked into a room and just known that your energy somehow made a difference - whether positively or negatively? Have you felt the crackle of electricity between others already there? If you try to put your finger on it more specifically, it can be challenging.
When we talk about psychological safety, we’re really talking about the energy we bring into a space. These invisible cues tell others whether they can relax or if they need to stay on edge. In teams where people feel psychologically safe, there’s a sense of ease. People share ideas freely, own up to their mistakes, ask questions without fear, and can generally be themselves. They feel seen, heard, and valued just as they are.
What Is Psychological Safety?
When safety is missing, you can feel that too. Conversations are reserved. People stop offering ideas, stop speaking up, stop innovating, and team trust erodes. This lack of safety permeates all aspects of the workplace, from individual performance to team development and organizational culture.
The truth is, we all contribute to the emotional resonance of a room. Our words, our posture, our tone — even our silence — sends messages. Humans are communal, social creatures, highly conditioned, even evolutionarily evolved to read clues and messages from those around us.
That’s why self-awareness is the foundation of psychological safety. Before you walk into a meeting, a difficult one-on-one, or even a family gathering, take a moment to check in with yourself.
Ask yourself, “What energy am I bringing with me? Am I grounded, open, and ready to listen? Or am I distracted, defensive, and anxious?”
The more aligned you are with your intentions, the more likely you are to effectively “brighten” a room. When you center yourself, breathe deeply, and choose curiosity over criticism, others can feel it. You help create the kind of space where people can relax — and be their whole selves.
There are lots of ways to promote safety in groups. Here are a few of them:
Be present. Put away distractions and give people your full attention and respect.
Name the tension. If something feels tense, acknowledge it. Naming what’s happening can diffuse emotions and align perspectives.
Model vulnerability. Admit when you don’t have all the answers or when you’ve made a mistake. It signals that it’s safe for others to do the same.
Invite everyone in. Psychological safety thrives when everyone feels included. Engage quieter voices in the conversation.
Say you’re sorry. If you react in a negative way or come across in a way that frightens the room - and we all do sometimes - circle back to it. Acknowledge what happened and apologize for your behavior. This helps rebuild trust.
Psychological safety is about creating conditions where people can stretch, speak truth to power, and take risks without fear of humiliation or punishment. These conditions turn teams into places where people flourish and feel comfortable showing up as their whole selves.