Psychological Safety: This is Why We Can’t Have Nice Things

When you say “psychological safety,” people often picture two very different things. That’s why I created this side-by-side comparison image to separate the myths from the reality.

On the left side, you’ll see what people often think it is:

• Everyone is always being nice, agreeable, and avoiding conflict.
• Endless brainstorming or venting with no outcomes.
• Mistakes are excused without accountability.
• Perks like “Wellness Rooms” are passed off as culture.

On the right side, you’ll see what psychological safety truly is:

• A shared belief that it’s safe to speak up with ideas, concerns, and mistakes without fear of blame.
• A culture where candor, respectful debate, and even healthy conflict are encouraged.
• A foundation for learning, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Built on trust, inclusion, and accountability, so every voice matters and issues lead to action.

Proponents light up and talk about how it fuels brainstorming and sparks innovation. They see it as the key to unlocking creativity and improvement.

Critics, though? They roll their eyes. They use the very same word, “brainstorming,” as a punchline. To them, it means endless talking with no results, meetings that go nowhere, and time wasted.

And that’s when I usually quip, “This is why we can’t have nice things!” Psychological safety isn’t about chatter for the sake of chatter. It’s about creating space where ideas, concerns, and even mistakes can be voiced and then turned into action.

Join Me in October!

At the 2025 Global TapRooT® Summit, we’ll go deeper into this topic in the Psychology of Improvement Best Practices Track. In my session, “From Stress to Success: Fostering Psychological Safety in the Workplace,” we’ll explore how to cut through the myths, build real psychological safety, and connect open voice with accountability for meaningful change.

Register today for the Psychology of Improvement Best Practices Track and join us in transforming psychological safety from a buzzword into a best practice.