Psychological safety is the belief that one can speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear of punishment, ridicule, or reprisal. It’s about feeling safe to bring your whole self to work without the anxiety of making mistakes or being judged. The term was popularized by Harvard Business School professor Dr. Amy Edmondson, who defined it as a “shared belief held by members of a team that the team is safe for interpersonal risk-taking.”

Essentially, in a psychologically safe environment, people feel comfortable asking questions, admitting errors, or suggesting new approaches. They don’t hold back due to fear of looking incompetent or uninformed.