In this expert session, HR consultant and executive coach Mikela Fenech Pace discusses the significance of psychological safety in today's diverse and inclusive workplaces.
Mikela emphasizes the importance of building trust and understanding through self-introduction in creating psychological safety. She shares her background and expresses her dedication to fostering safe spaces where individuals can be themselves and thrive at work.
The session covers various aspects of psychological safety, starting with its definition and the reasons why it is essential. Mikela encourages participants to reflect on their personal experiences, such as their first day at school, to understand the impact of environments on feelings of safety and comfort. Throughout the session, she uses relatable examples from her own experiences to illustrate the importance of understanding and respecting cultural differences in creating psychologically safe spaces.
Mikela also explores the challenges of psychological safety, emphasizing the need for constant learning and adaptation to meet diverse needs in complex work environments. Her goal is to help participants gain awareness of their feelings and how they contribute to creating psychologically safe spaces while deepening their understanding of trust and open communication's importance in promoting psychological safety.
Mikela incorporates interactive activities using the Mentimeter app, allowing participants to share thoughts and ideas in real-time, increasing engagement and collaboration within the group. The expert session continues with Mikela discussing self-reflection and taking responsibility for our actions. She emphasizes that everyone plays a role in creating a psychologically safe environment.
Creating psychological safety involves understanding ourselves first and being aware of individual needs and comfort levels. Mikela suggests using tools such as asking for upward feedback, acknowledging mistakes, active listening, accepting ideas without judgment, and being curious rather than jumping to conclusions. She also emphasizes the importance of fostering open communication and empathy.
Mikela uses basketball as an analogy, pointing out that everyone experiences failures and setbacks, which are essential for growth. By continuing to try and be kind to oneself and others, we can improve and create workplaces where people feel comfortable expressing their feelings and ideas.
To address difficult managers or situations, Mikela suggests seeking feedback from colleagues and going to Human Resources if necessary while keeping conversations objective and emotion-free. She emphasizes the importance of receiving positive feedback at work as it contributes to feeling safe and motivated, just as negative feedback is essential for growth. Mikela acknowledges the challenges in creating a culture that encourages both types of feedback but urges participants to let HR know if they perceive a need for change.
