If you’re running a hybrid workplace, psychological safety may not be the first thing on your mind. Your focus may be on getting your employees to produce results, not their well-being. Besides, you’ll find that running a hybrid workplace brings challenges of its own.
So, it’s not easy to focus on psychological safety in such a scenario. But large companies are turning their attention to the benefits of psychological safety. Even if you’re running a small business, this innovative new concept should be a priority in your company.
Psychological safety enables your employees to realize their potential while at work. It would make them feel valued and allow them to present their best ideas to their employees. Psychological safety makes employees feel they can express themselves without fear of humiliation.
It’s up to you to create a safe space for them at work to speak up when they feel like they need to. Your employees may have the option to work from homes a few times a week. In some cases, you may even have left the choice of getting back to the office up to them.
Managing psychological safety in a hybrid workplace is challenging but not impossible. If you’re still on the fence about the benefits of psychological safety, we’ve got you covered. We’re here to discuss how a hybrid workplace can promote psychological safety.
It Fosters Change
The introduction of hybrid workplaces allows you to bring change to your organization. It gives you a chance to do things as you’ve never done them before. So, you can shift your focus to include psychological safety for all employees. You may not have done it before, but the hybrid workplace allows you to explore it.
You can ask your managers to rely on new tools and techniques to complete their projects. Your employees may well find these tools and techniques easier to work with.
For example, work from apps has now become popular, and for good reason. Apps and platforms allow your employees to connect from the comfort of their homes. So, they don’t have to spend time traveling to the office to speak to one another.
Also, these platforms make it easier for your employees to keep track of their projects. The same goes for your managers, who may be keeping an eye on more than one project. They would find it easier to stay on top of each project you’ve entrusted to them.
This new way of working may prove popular with employees who value flexibility. The same applies to managers who get greater autonomy over their decisions. After all, even managers need to sit back and slow down every once in a while. Hybrid workplaces give them the option to take their work home when they want to.
This gives them more energy and helps them do a better job at the tasks you’ve given them.
It Improves Communication
Another reason hybrid workplaces foster psychological safety is that they improve communication. Sure, it sounds contradictory if you’re talking about working from home. You wonder, “How does communication improve if you increase the distance between people?”
You’d be surprised at how many people prefer to communicate from home rather than in person. You may think that this can’t be great for communication and may lead to misunderstandings. But, with the widespread use of video calling, this is no longer the case.
Also, employees have the freedom to start conversations in a hybrid workplace. Technology has made it possible for your employees to reach out to each other when they want to. Some of them can put their heads together and brainstorm ideas as the need arises.
This doesn’t mean that you should ask your employees to be at a manager’s beck and call. It means communication may be simpler if employees are available when emergencies arise. Also, they’ll get the confidence to speak to their managers often enough.
Improved communication in your company will lead to better results as well. Your employees can work as a team to find solutions to problems if they crop up. As a result, they can ensure that your products stay on track and meet their deadlines.
Producing results in this way will give their psychological safety a healthy boost. Also, remember that good communication will allow them to build relationships while at work. So, they’ll be more comfortable working with their colleagues in the future as well.
It Boosts Productivity
It’s not easy to focus on boosting employee productivity if they aren’t physically present in the office. Managers may find it challenging to supervise their employees from afar. Apps and remote working software, on the other hand, allow you to track employee progress even when they are at home.
Employees appreciate when they don’t have someone breathing down their necks all the time. This could help them open up and take greater risks with their work. You’ll see how it boosts their productivity in the long run.
You may also notice how employees start to enjoy their work when you give them a little freedom. This is sure to contribute to their psychological safety. They’ll feel safe enough in your workplace to try out things they’ve never tried before. As a result, it is critical to provide a flexible working environment for them to do so.
Conclusion
Psychological safety is more important now than it ever was before. The current culture of remote work has shifted the emphasis to employee well-being. Sure, it’s not practical to expect that you can keep your employees 100% happy all the time.
However, you should keep in mind that this is not an excuse not to try. Promoting psychological safety will make your employees explore their full potential. It doesn’t matter where they’re working from; they’ll be more productive if you focus on this aspect.
Those who focus on psychological safety will tell you that it does produce results. But there’s no one-size-fits-all answer to how you must approach psychological safety. What may work for another company in this regard may not work for you. You must consider your power structure and other factors first.
Then, you can decide how to approach psychological safety in hybrid work. It should be about producing results while keeping your employees happy. This shouldn’t be too difficult if you remember to play your cards right.
