PMI Conference - September 2022
How to Increase Psychological Safety While Facilitating
Ensure Everyone is Heard
- Ensure space for everyone’s voice
- Encourage and model listening and empathy
- Thank people for their opinions
- Be approachable - encourage participants to come to you with their observations and concerns
Create a Learning Environment
- Model being OK with uncertainty and fallibility
- Frame the discussion as a learning exercise
- Reward questions, especially ones that are brave
Reduce Negativity
- Guide the group to look for win-win situations
- Use safety norms
- During advance assessment, look for situations that may lead to attack, domination, or fear. Coach participants in advance as necessary
Encourage Curiousity
- Ask “what if” and “why”
- Use open-ended questions
- Use ideation activities, such a brainstorming