D1.1
Tracks
Stream D
| Thursday, October 29, 2026 |
| 1:45 PM - 2:15 PM |
Overview
Psychological safety: the foundation for psychosocial health | 30 mins
Presenter
Fiona McAllister
Steople
Psychological safety: the foundation for psychosocial health
1:45 PM - 2:15 PMAbstract
Psychological Safety has been recognised as a critical factor in team performance and culture for some time (Edmondson, 1999). In more recent years, with the increased focus on psychosocial health, driven by research, legislation, and experience, it is demonstrated that psychological safety is a foundation element in reducing psychosocial risk and increasing psychosocial health in all organisational contexts (Dong, Li & Hernan, 2024; Bahadurzada, Edmondson & Kerrissey, 2024).
In 2019 Steople recognised a gap in psychometric assessment offerings of a validated survey tool that measured both team level of psychological safety and leader impact on team psychological safety. In partnership with University of Canterbury NZ, we developed a model of psychological safety and a valid and reliable measure of the team and leader impact constructs.
The tool was activated at a large scale in a federal government agency as well as within a diverse range of organisations in the following 2 years. In 2023 we were approached by an existing client organisation, a medium sized public entity in Victoria, who were looking to measure psychological safety across their organisation. Their intent was to use a valid and reliable method of assessment, the Steople Psychological Safety Assessment, as the foundation for future work to develop their Psychosocial Risk Strategy and Intervention Plan.
The project provides a practical case study of the tools use in identifying patterns of health and risk at team and leader cohort level. This data set then supported targeted interventions to elevate psychological safety in areas most needed. This approach was determined to be the foundation of their ongoing work in building a culture of psychosocial health. The program was owned and championed by their Wellbeing and Safety Team.
Results were analysed, debriefed at team and leader level and heat mapped to provide a compelling and actionable insights document. Highest need teams were supported with tailored interventions, leaders most needing capability uplift were coached and the maturity of the organisations understanding of and commitment to both psychological safety and psychosocial health shifted substantially.
In this session we will provide an overview of the tool development, research supporting the 6 factor model created and share the practical application through a case study, learnings and outcomes.
In 2019 Steople recognised a gap in psychometric assessment offerings of a validated survey tool that measured both team level of psychological safety and leader impact on team psychological safety. In partnership with University of Canterbury NZ, we developed a model of psychological safety and a valid and reliable measure of the team and leader impact constructs.
The tool was activated at a large scale in a federal government agency as well as within a diverse range of organisations in the following 2 years. In 2023 we were approached by an existing client organisation, a medium sized public entity in Victoria, who were looking to measure psychological safety across their organisation. Their intent was to use a valid and reliable method of assessment, the Steople Psychological Safety Assessment, as the foundation for future work to develop their Psychosocial Risk Strategy and Intervention Plan.
The project provides a practical case study of the tools use in identifying patterns of health and risk at team and leader cohort level. This data set then supported targeted interventions to elevate psychological safety in areas most needed. This approach was determined to be the foundation of their ongoing work in building a culture of psychosocial health. The program was owned and championed by their Wellbeing and Safety Team.
Results were analysed, debriefed at team and leader level and heat mapped to provide a compelling and actionable insights document. Highest need teams were supported with tailored interventions, leaders most needing capability uplift were coached and the maturity of the organisations understanding of and commitment to both psychological safety and psychosocial health shifted substantially.
In this session we will provide an overview of the tool development, research supporting the 6 factor model created and share the practical application through a case study, learnings and outcomes.
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Fiona is an AHPRA registered psychologist with a Post-Graduate Diploma in Applied Psychology, a Post-Graduate Certificate in Knowledge Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She has worked in the field of organisational psychology and organisational development for 20+ years with specific expertise in organisational culture and transformation.
Specific recent projects Fiona has lead or been part of the project team for have included:
- Development of a culture assessment tool for use across the Australian health sector
- Development of culture strategy and action plan using narrative techniques for a Victorian Hospital and 2 iconic Australian tourism entities
- Cultural transformation programs for multiple government, quasi government and private entities.
