Human Factors

Psychological safety, by Amy Edmondson

Frame the problem - important, complex

Share fallibility - we are all learning, developing, need your help (esp in new virtual learning context)

Welcome the messenger - if feedback is given from students on how things could be improved - welcome it :-)

Psychological safety

To measure a team’s level of psychological safety, Edmondson asked team members how strongly they agreed or disagreed with these statements:

  1. If you make a mistake on this team, it is often held against you.

  2. Members of this team are able to bring up problems and tough issues.

  3. People on this team sometimes reject others for being different.

  4. It is safe to take a risk on this team.

  5. It is difficult to ask other members of this team for help.

  6. No one on this team would deliberately act in a way that undermines my efforts.

  7. Working with members of this team, my unique skills and talents are valued and utilized.



Equal talk time, sensitivity to the group

Team-based working and thinking, systems thinking ....research at google into what makes good teams: first equal talk time across the group, second social sensitivity across the group on how others were feeling...not how brilliant individuals are or style of leadership etc etc... the quality of relationships is key.

Assessing and promoting compassion in the group

'What do I contribute to the learning experience of my fellow students that they most value in me?

What do my fellow students contribute to my learning that I most value in them?'