Lately, one theme keeps coming up in the work we do at Vision Coaching – psychological safety. It’s resonating more and more with leaders, teams and organizations because people are realizing just how fundamental it is to learning, growth and performance.
I’ve had the chance to deliver Using the Coach Approach™, our leadership coaching skills and mindset program, to a wide range of professionals – engineers, executives, front-line leaders.
In this program, participants often assume they’ll be given all the answers, but what they experience is something different – a space where they can explore, reflect and discover their own solutions. And, in our experience, this happens more naturally when we create the right environment – one where they feel safe enough to show up, take risks and not have to be perfect.
That’s psychological safety. And it’s not just about training sessions. It’s the foundation of strong coaching relationships and high-performing teams.
This is exactly the kind of environment that great coaches foster. Coaches like Vision Coaching’s Peter Stoddart know that creating psychological safety transcends leadership – it’s ultimately about human connection.
In this edition of Fresh Ideas, we’re sharing the story of Judith Mackin, an entrepreneur who discovered tremendous value in coaching because of the safe space Pete provided for her to reflect, grow and lead with confidence. (You can read her story here.)
In coaching, there’s a difference between transactional and transformational approaches. Transactional coaching is about tools and techniques – checking the boxes, asking the right questions and moving through the process.
Exploring new ways to lead
But transformational coaching is about shifting mindsets. It’s about creating the kind of space where people can actually think, explore and step into new ways of leading.
If there is one thing that has become crystal clear to me over 20 years of coaching and leading: If you want people to embrace coaching as a leadership skill, they need to feel safe doing it. If they’re worried about saying the wrong thing or being judged, they won’t lean in.
The same is true for their teams. When team members don’t feel safe, they hold back. They won’t ask the tough questions, admit mistakes or take ownership. Instead of innovation and growth, you get hesitation and fear.
Google’s Project Aristotle, which studied more than 180 teams at Google to identify the key factors that contribute to high performance, found that psychological safety was the single biggest factor in what makes a team successful. Harvard professor Amy C. Edmondson’s book The Fearless Organization reinforces this, highlighting that when employees feel psychologically safe, they are more engaged, innovative, and open to collaboration – critical factors in today’s fast-changing work environments.
It’s not just a nice-to-have – it’s the foundation of learning, trust and high performance. And what we’re seeing more and more is that leaders are recognizing this and actively working to build it into their cultures.
One of the most powerful things we hear after delivering Using the Coach Approach™ or working with clients in one-on-one coaching is – “I need to bring this back to my team.” Because when people experience psychological safety firsthand, they recognize what’s missing in their own environments.
Why this matters now
This isn’t a new concept, but there’s a reason it’s resonating more today. Workplaces are changing. Leaders are recognizing that fear-based leadership doesn’t work. People don’t perform at their best when they’re afraid of making mistakes or looking bad in front of their peers.
The best leaders – the ones who truly inspire people and get the best from their teams – are the ones who create space for real conversations, vulnerability and growth.
As coaches, that’s what we attempt to do every day. We create the space for people to think, reflect and explore what’s possible. And when leaders bring that same mindset into their organizations, the impact is transformational.
I’m curious – what does psychological safety look like in your world? How are you fostering it in your leadership, your team or your organization?
Dave Veale
Founder & CEO
Vision Coaching Inc.
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