The Behavioral Science of Psychological Safety | Jeremy Pollack

Where does psychological safety start? And, even simpler: what is psychological safety, especially as it relates to our work environments? This week, we’re joined by Dr. Jeremy Pollack, a conflict resolution specialist, peacebuilder, and author, to examine the neuroscience behind conflict, trust, and psychological safety.

Keeping with our theme of conflict and resolution, Jeremy argues that strife isn’t just an interpersonal or organizational problem; it’s something that’s embedded deep within our nervous system. Our brains hate uncertainty, so they’re constantly trying to predict what will happen next. As a result, when we perceive a threat, a rejection, or danger, our nervous systems can become dysregulated. Dysregulated nervous systems can wreak havoc on the workplace, where employees are constantly trying to read their leaders for cues about what is safe, what isn’t, and how they’ll be treated if something goes wrong.

So, who would make a better leader: someone charismatic, or someone predictable? Should we learn from our mistakes, or fear their repercussions? And, perhaps most importantly, what’s the number one thing leaders can do to create a sense of psychological safety for those around them? We explore these topics, plus tips, tricks, and more, with Jeremy’s science-backed research, and we hope you’ll listen if you’re interested in breaking old conflict patterns and building healthier teams.

Want to watch this episode? Check it out on our YouTube Channel