As an introvert, it can sometimes be a challenge to fully express yourself and make contributions. That's why it's essential to work on creating an environment where you feel safe to be yourself and where you are appreciated for your unique qualities. In this article, we provide a few tips to increase psychological safety, so you can confidently thrive in the workplace.

Psychological safety may sound complicated, but it essentially means that we need an environment where we feel free to be ourselves and share our ideas without fear of criticism or rejection. The term was coined by Amy Edmondson, a prominent researcher and professor in the field of leadership and organizational behavior at Harvard Business School. In her research and publications, she defined psychological safety as a climate in which people feel safe to share ideas, opinions, and feedback without the fear of negative consequences. Her studies have shown that psychological safety plays a crucial role in promoting teamwork, learning, and innovation.

Psychological safety is also highly important for introverts because they often need more time to think and organize their thoughts. This can hinder them from showcasing their best selves and can even impact their overall well-being. Therefore, it's important to work on psychological safety in the workplace. Here are a few practical tips to increase it:

  1. Foster a friendly atmosphere: Everyone can contribute to a friendly and inclusive culture at work. You can do this by recognizing that everyone has unique ideas and that different perspectives are valuable. Encourage open communication and ensure that no one feels excluded.

  2. Clear communication: It's important to have clear guidelines on how to communicate and provide feedback with each other. This way, you'll have a better understanding of how to contribute and support others. For example, let everyone finish speaking during meetings, utilize online platforms for idea exchange, and encourage constructive feedback.

  3. Listen and show understanding: Ensure that everyone gets a chance to share their thoughts and concerns. Actively listen to your colleagues and appreciate their contributions. Be understanding of introverts' need for thinking time and processing. Individual conversations or brainstorming sessions can sometimes be helpful because introverted individuals often feel more comfortable expressing their ideas in those settings.

  4. Written communication: Not everyone feels equally comfortable with speaking, so also appreciate written communication. Using emails, chat platforms, or shared documents can give introverted employees the space to formulate their thoughts in a calm and thoughtful manner, without the pressure of the moment.

By increasing psychological safety, you create an environment where everyone can contribute and where the diversity of talents and personalities is valued. This allows both introverted, ambiverted, and extroverted talents to fully thrive. If you'd like to discuss this further, feel free to contact me.