DeepSummary
In this podcast episode, Matt Abrahams interviews Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School, about psychological safety and how it fosters open communication and risk-taking within teams. Edmondson explains that psychological safety refers to the belief that one can speak up candidly without fear of interpersonal risk. She emphasizes the importance of leaders acknowledging the nature of the work, asking questions, and responding constructively to create an environment where people feel comfortable sharing mistakes and seeking help.
Edmondson also discusses her new book, 'The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well,' and distinguishes between three types of failures: basic, complex, and intelligent. She stresses the importance of leaders understanding the context and stakes involved when communicating about failures to encourage learning and resilience.
The conversation touches on the unequal opportunity to fail, particularly for underrepresented groups, and the need for leaders to create an inclusive environment where all intelligent failures are celebrated. Edmondson shares her personal struggles with failure and the importance of reflection over rumination.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Psychological safety is a belief that one can speak up candidly without fear of interpersonal risk, and it is essential for fostering open communication and innovation within teams.
- Leaders play a crucial role in creating an environment of psychological safety by acknowledging the nature of the work, asking questions, responding constructively, and celebrating failures as learning opportunities.
- Edmondson distinguishes between three types of failures: basic (caused by mistakes), complex (caused by multiple factors), and intelligent (undesired results of thoughtful forays into new territory).
- Leaders should communicate about failures in a way that encourages learning and resilience, taking into account the context and stakes involved.
- Underrepresented groups may face an unequal opportunity to fail due to stereotyping and societal pressures, and leaders should create an inclusive environment where their intelligent failures are celebrated.
- Maintaining psychological safety is an ongoing effort that requires individuals to take interpersonal risks and leaders to foster an environment of candor and appreciation.
- Edmondson shares her personal struggles with failure, highlighting the importance of moving from rumination to reflection.
- Effective communication strategies, such as clarity, caring, and commitment, are crucial for fostering psychological safety and embracing productive failure.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Psychological safety refers to a belief that you can speak up candidly with interpersonally risky content like I made a mistake or I need help, or I disagree with your point of view, not that those things are easy, but that you believe they are expected and even welcome.“ by Amy Edmondson
- “I have to catch and correct myself all the time.“ by Amy Edmondson
- “Psychological safety is not sort of a switch that you turn on. And now we have it. It's more something that is enacted day by day, day by day. It's enacted by each of us taking small interpersonal risks to be the risks of being candid.“ by Amy Edmondson
Entities
Person
Company
Book
Episode Information
Think Fast, Talk Smart: Communication Techniques
Stanford GSB
3/5/24
Effective and productive teams and relationships are based on the ability to communicate safely and to fail successfully. In this episode, Amy Edmondson, a professor at Harvard Business School and author of The Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well, shares profound insights on the different types of failure—basic, complex, and intelligent—and their implications for learning and innovation.
In her conversation with host and Strategic Communications lecturer Matt Abrahams, Edmonson opens up about her struggles with failure, highlighting the importance of moving from rumination to reflection. This episode offers listeners a comprehensive guide to fostering an environment where failure is not feared but embraced as a crucial step toward growth and success.
Episode Reference Links:
- Amy Edmondson: Website
- Amy’s Books: The Fearless Organization & Right Kind of Wrong
- Amy’s paper with Ingrid Nembhard: Making it Safe: The Effects of Leader Inclusiveness
- Amy’s admired communicator Nicolai Tangen’s podcast: In Good Company
- Ep.26 - Words Matter: How to Make Your Communication Inclusive: Website / YouTube
- Ep.112 - From Mistakes to “Missed Takes” : Youtube
Connect:
- Email Questions & Feedback >>> thinkfast@stanford.edu
- Episode Transcripts >>> Think Fast Talk Smart Website
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- Think Fast Talk Smart >>> LinkedIn Page, Instagram, YouTube
- Matt Abrahams >>> LinkedIn
- Stanford GSB >>> LinkedIn & Twitter
Chapters:
(00:00:00) Introduction
Matt Abrahams introduces guest Amy Edmondson and her new book the Right Kind of Wrong: The Science of Failing Well.
(00:01:38) Psychological Safety Communication Strategies
The concept of psychological safety and its role in fostering open communication and risk-taking within teams.
(00:05:36) Leader's Role in Creating a Safe Environment
A leader's role in acknowledging vulnerability and creating a culture of appreciation for candid feedback.
(00:08:27) Empowering Every Team Member
Benefits of empowering every team member to contribute to psychological safety.
(00:10:46) Understanding Failure
The importance of psychological safety in admitting mistakes and exploring the concept of failure.
(00:14:07) Communicating About Failure
How leaders can effectively communicate about failures to encourage team learning and resilience.
(00:18:34) Unequal Opportunity to Fail
The unequal opportunity to fail, particularly for underrepresented groups.
(00:20:39) The Final Three Questions
Amy Edmondson shares her challenges with failure, a communicator she most admires, and three ingredients to a successful communication recipe.
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