In our two blog posts about fear-free organizations and how to establish psychological safety in teams, we have shown that psychological safety is the foundation for successful teams. Zahno and Perlrine divide the concept of psychological safety into the following three aspects:
- Show vulnerability
- Give confidence
- Taking responsibility
Allowing vulnerability has a positive impact on team success. However, it takes a lot of courage - especially in everyday working life - to show vulnerability. This means opening up to others and admitting your "weaknesses". There is a risk of being hurt by the other person. Vulnerability is also closely linked to shame ("I'm not good/not smart/not popular enough").
The different strategies
Brené Brown, the well-known American author and professor at the Graduate College of Social Work in Houston, Texas, has been researching the topics of vulnerability, shame, authenticity and inner strength for many years. Her studies show the different strategies people use to deal with shame. Some prefer to keep unpleasant, shameful experiences to themselves, while others open up to people they trust and/or are able to practice self-compassion.
The positive influence of vulnerability on team success
The ability to allow vulnerability is a prerequisite for developing creative and explorative solutions in a team. Managers should be sensitized to lowering this "inhibition threshold" among employees. Their own approach to vulnerability can also act as a role model.
Leadership feedback stimulates self-reflection
Professionally conducted 360-degree leadership feedback is a good way for companies to support managers in this development. It helps managers to recognize their own strengths and development potential and to actively work on them.
ValueQuest's professional dialog tools - employee surveys, management feedback and pulse surveys - promote an open and dialog-oriented feedback culture within the company and thus increase employee commitment and satisfaction.
Article published on March 31, 2022
About Heidi Blanken
Heidi Blanken is an expert and advisor at ValueQuest with a focus on evaluation and methodological consulting. She studied psychology with a focus on methodology as well as economics and labor law at the University of Zurich and graduated with a lic. phil. I degree.
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