What is Team Psychological Safety?
Team Psychological Safety (TPS) is “a shared belief by members of a team that a team is safe for interpersonal risk taking” (Edmondson, 1999). This means that team members feel it is safe to: to speak up, ask questions, raise concerns, and admit mistakes without fear of embarrassment or reprisal. The concept was developed by Professor Amy Edmondson of Harvard Business School and has since become one of the most studied phenomena in organizational behavior. Peter Cauwelier, PhD, drew on Edmondson's work and his own doctoral research on team learning to develop the TPS assessment, certification program, and the practical framework that we use today — a program that carries Professor Edmondson's endorsement.
In 2015, Google analyzed the effectiveness of 180 of its own teams as part of Project Aristotle. Team Psychological Safety was by far the most important factor in team performance, outweighing talent, experience, and every other variable measured. TPS is the foundation of continuous learning and the precondition for genuine collaboration.
Key Benefits of Team Psychological Safety
Higher Performance
Teams engage more fully, share information openly, and make better decisions together.
Greater Innovation
People experiment more freely and learn from failure rather than concealing it.
Stronger Retention
TPS correlates with reduced burnout, higher job satisfaction, and lower turnover.
Faster Learning
Problems surface sooner and teams improve more quickly when members are not guarding against blame.
More Inclusive Culture
TPS creates conditions where every voice matters, including those of faculty and staff who might otherwise hold back.
Better Decision-Making
Teams that speak openly make better decisions. Assumptions get challenged, blind spots get surfaced, and groupthink loses its grip.
Seven Elements of Team Psychological Safety
Reaction to Mistakes: Mistakes are treated as learning opportunities rather than occasions for blame or judgment.
Asking for Help: Team members feel comfortable seeking support without worrying about appearing incompetent.
Appreciation: Contributions are recognized and people feel genuinely valued for the work they do.
Accepting Diversity: Different perspectives, backgrounds, and working styles are welcomed and actively respected.
Dealing with Issues: Problems and tensions are addressed openly rather than avoided or allowed to fester.
Taking Risks: People feel able to propose bold ideas and try new approaches without fear of ridicule.
Mutual Support: Team members actively look out for one another, creating a culture of genuine care and collaboration.
The TPS Assessment and Report
TPS is measured through a confidential, anonymous survey in which team members respond to seven statements covering each of the TPS elements. Three additional open questions gather qualitative input on team performance and potential. The result is a comprehensive 25-page report that gives team leaders and facilitators an evidence-based starting point for team development.
• Measures overall TPS level and each of the seven
individual elements
• Benchmarks the team against a global database of teams
• Identifies team strengths and priority areas for improvement
• Includes verbatim comments from team members for
qualitative depth
• Suggests practical approaches for strengthening each
TPS element
A TPS for Leaders report is also available. It assesses the leader's impact across three dimensions: role-modelling, supportive responding, and team enabling. The leader's self-assessment is compared with team member perceptions, providing a clear picture of where leadership habits are helping or hindering the team.
Traffic light or Heat map showing relative strength of TPS elements in team.
Earn ICF CCE units by completing the certification
As part of our Team Psychological Safety offerings, we offer Dr. Peter Cauweiler's Team Psychological Safety Practitioner certification based on both his and Professor Amy Edmondson's research, through Team.As.One. This certification with four modules has received approval from the International Coaching Federation for 28 CCE units (16 Core Competencies and 12 Resource Development). You may also qualify for CPHR CPD credits in Canada upon completion of the certification.
We offer this certification training in two formats: fully online over four 3.5 hour sessions, or in a hybrid format with two modules online via Zoom, and two modules offered in a 1-day in-person session. The hybrid session includes the integration of LEGO® Serious Play® method activities into the modules.
Join us in HCMC, 17th April, 2026
We will run an initial cohort of Practitioner Certification training in HCMC as part of Bricks by the River HCMC. As part of this training, we will be integrating the use of LEGO® Serious Play® method activities.
For more details about this training, take a look at our Bricks by the River HCMC page.
Registration Cost: USD1,000
Reduced when part of a bundle
VAT will be added where applicable