How We Experience Psychological Safety: Stories & Reflection from Team Centaur

Organizations in the top quartile for psychological safety report up to a 50% increase in productivity and a 76% rise in engagement, according to McKinsey & Company. But what exactly is Psychological Safety, and why is it now seen as a key driver of team performance?

Coined by Harvard Professor Amy Edmondson, psychological safety refers to a shared belief that individuals can speak up, make mistakes, and challenge ideas without fear of embarrassment or punishment. More on what Psychological Safety is right here.

The way each individual experiences psychological safety at work is deeply personal. Exploring these varied perspectives helps us understand why psychological safety matters so deeply in the workplace and to demonstrate this range, we asked Team Centaur to share what psychological safety means to them and how they experience it at work. 

Feedback that Fuels Growth

Expressing yourself openly, even to leadership 

For me, psychological safety means having the space to express myself openly even when it comes to giving feedback to leadership. Early on in my role, I shared a suggestion with my manager about how we could improve our team check-ins. To my surprise, she welcomed it wholeheartedly and took action right away. From that point on, she regularly adapted her approach based on team input. It was such a simple exchange, but it completely shifted how I viewed feedback—it became something collaborative rather than risky. That experience showed me what it’s like to work in a place where everyone’s voice truly matters. - Aya

Building trust through honest conversations 

Feedback is what fuels our team. It shows up in how we work every day — in our check-ins, our cadences, and our commitment to growth. I’ve been grateful to receive honest input from my direct reports and my peers alike, and that’s a big part of what helps me show up better as a leader. It means a lot to know that people feel safe enough to tell me the truth — even when it’s hard. That openness is what allows us to move quickly, adapt thoughtfully, and hold each other to a high standard. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. - Tala

Creating an Environment Where Teams Can Speak Up and Thrive 

Psychological safety has accompanied me through every stage of my professional journey: from my early days navigating the pressures of middle management, to making decisions at the executive level, to now guiding organizations as they reimagine how people work together. At every step of this journey, what became increasingly clear is that teams thrive when people feel safe to speak up, ask questions, challenge norms, and be themselves. - Marilyn

Embracing Vulnerability & Being Human

Embracing vulnerability and growth

Psychological safety, to me, is the relief of bringing myself to work without fear of judgment. It’s the freedom to share ideas, admit mistakes, and show up authentically. I once owned up to a mistake during a retrospective, expecting discomfort, but instead, it was seen as an act of courage. That moment made me feel accepted, not exposed. It reminded me how powerful it is to be in a space where vulnerability is met with respect. - Faten

Accepting Imperfection and Embracing Our Humanity at Work

Feeling safe at work, for me, means feeling valued, trusted, and knowing that my efforts are genuinely appreciated. It gives me the freedom to be my true self, to speak up about difficult topics, admit mistakes, and be open about challenges without fear. I used to believe that I always had to bring my A-game, which created a lot of pressure. Since joining Cosmic Centaurs, I’m always reminded that being human at work, learning, and growing is a must and that it’s not a linear process. That’s what real psychological safety looks like to me. - Marie

Feeling Valued & Building Confidence

Being Valued for Authentic Contributions and Ideas

Psychological safety, for me, means being recognized and valued for my authentic contributions. It’s the freedom to share ideas or ask questions without fear of judgment. In a safe work environment, I can experiment, grow, and feel supported by my team. - Zeinab

Valuing Diverse Perspectives to Enrich Work

For me, psychological safety is about being accepted and valued for my authentic contributions. It's when I can share insights or ask questions in my own way and timing, knowing they'll be received with respect. True safety isn't just about speaking up - it's about knowing that diversity of thought and communication styles enrich our work rather than create friction. - Mounia

Building Confidence Through a Judgment-Free Environment

I believe it’s having the advantage of expressing yourself without judgment. It’s the ability to feel ‘safe’ as in valued, respected, and listened to. Psychological safety is essential in any working environment as it’s one of the key factors contributing to the performance of team members.  I had the chance to work in an environment where I felt encouraged to share my ideas without fear of being judged. Knowing that my contributions were valued and taken seriously gave me the confidence to speak up more often. That experience showed me how essential psychological safety is in unlocking creativity, building trust, and driving meaningful collaboration within a team. - Zeina

Embedding a Culture of Safety

Embedding a Fearless Culture within Teams 

I’ve been lucky to work in teams where I felt heard and supported—even when I made mistakes. But what made it more impactful at Cosmic Centaurs was that it wasn’t just a leader’s approach—it was part of the culture. Consistent rituals like retrospectives and one-on-one feedback created space to name both individual and collective failures without fear. And when feedback was met with a “we learn and we move” mindset, it reinforced that psychological safety here is a shared way of working. - Hadeel

Challenging the Status Quo to Enable Bold Contributions

To me, psychological safety is one of the most important pillars for driving real change. I’ve worked with many teams where people would nod in agreement during meetings, not because they fully supported the agenda, but because they were afraid of being judged or sidelined. On the surface, everything seemed fine. But soon, you'd realize that strategies stalled and plans never moved forward. The fear of speaking up or challenging the status quo held back opportunities for growth and the changes the company desperately needed. Over time, I learned that creating a psychologically safe environment starts with understanding where these fears come from, recognizing how aware (or unaware) the organization is of them, and acknowledging how much they impact growth, innovation, and individual initiative. Only then can we begin to foster a culture where people feel safe to contribute fully and drive progress. - Nadine

Why Psychological Safety Matters

The stories above remind us that psychological safety is not about eliminating conflict or making everyone agree. It’s about creating the conditions where individuals feel safe to speak up, contribute ideas, take risks, and show up authentically. While these experiences are deeply personal, they highlight patterns leaders can intentionally nurture: open communication, active listening, and supportive feedback loops.

If you’re looking to build teams that are more connected, courageous, and collaborative, our Psychological Safety page can help you get started. You can also download our brochure to learn more. 

*Cosmic Centaurs is the only certified provider of the Fearless Organization Scan and the official Arabic language partner for this globally recognized tool in the MENA region.