Psychological Safety

Psychological safety was defined by Amy Edmondson (The Fearless Organization, 2019) as “a climate in which people are comfortable expressing and being themselves.” She refers to examples of psychological safety such as feeling safe to raise a different point of view in a meeting, bystander intervention etc.

Psychological safety is mandated in all workplaces across Canada (National Standard for Psychological Health and Safety in the Workplace), at the University of Alberta, and Alberta Health Services. Psychological safety can be measured (Samra J et al. Simon Fraser University. 2009-2020. Guarding Minds at Work website). Leaders are thought to be able to influence many of the factors that contribute to psychological safety within a workplace. The FoMD Strategic Plan (Vision 2025) highlights the importance of building psychological safety within the FoMD for all members.

Please contact the Office of Professionalism with questions around how to build psychological safety within your group setting.

Psychological Safety at FoMD

Faculty Structure

  • Create transparent & accountable processes around decisions
  • Align rewards structures with FoMD values, expectations & a psychologically safe workplace
  • Build commitment to FoMD processes for recognizing competing roles, priorities and change

Faculty Development

  • Onboarding process development
  • Dialogue, discussion and promotion of psychological safety
  • Develop competencies & structure for selecting and growing leaders

Faculty Communication Strategy

  • Clear pathways for individuals to receive and locate communication around decision-making
  • Enforce and communicate processes for safe disclosure and protection of individuals

Individual Stressors

  • Acknowledgement, support & mentorship for time, workload and vulnerabilities
  • Recognize, respect & communicate the importance of overall mental health within the FoMD workplace and acknowledge the importance of influences beyond the workplace

Values

  • Honesty
  • Integrity
  • Confidentiality
  • Respect
  • Civility
  • Responsible behaviour
  • Excellence
  • Inquiry