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The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human

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The how-to guide for transformative leadership

Every employee, at every level, wants to feel seen, heard, and respected. If we don't feel safe, we can't be our best selves or do our most creative work. This is why leaders must ensure psychological safety for everyone in their team. Whether you're a manager, CEO, or entrepreneur, The Psychological Safety Playbook is the guide you need to lead your team to the highest levels of performance and innovation.

The Psychological Safety Playbook invites you to explore twenty-five specific actions that will create more psychological safety in your workplace. These are all moves that every leader can adopt and practice. Each move features a description of why to try it, instructions on how to do it, and a nutshell summary. You can start anywhere in the playbook—all the plays and moves are self-contained!

Written by Karolin Helbig, a highly respected executive mindset coach with a doctorate in human genetics and extensive consulting experience, and Minette Norman, a sought-after leadership consultant with thirty years of experience in the tech sector, The Psychological Safety Playbook is the essential guide for leaders who are committed to fostering psychological safety in their teams.

In their combined years of business and applied practice, the authors have continually observed how creating a high-performing, innovative workforce starts with building a foundation of respect and shared humanity. When we hold back our true thoughts because we're afraid of the consequences, everyone misses out. By contrast, when we can ask a naïve question, propose a wild idea, or share our honest emotions—that's when psychological safety fuels team performance.

166 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 22, 2023

107 people are currently reading
462 people want to read

About the author

Karolin Helbig

3 books2 followers
Karolin Helbig is an independent leadership consultant focusing on emotional intelligence, mindset, and psychological safety. Building on more than two decades of experience as a management consultant and in leadership development, along with a deep expertise in science, Karolin Helbig helps leaders increase their effectiveness, optimize team performance, and transform their organizations. She serves large, international corporations as well as mid-size companies and non-profit organizations and is known for bridging the gap between theory and practice.

Previously, Karolin spent more than 15 years as a top management consultant with McKinsey & Company, working as a trusted advisor and in some cases, a hands-on coach, to solve her clients’ toughest issues. Prior to McKinsey, Karolin received her PhD in human genetics from the Phillipps-Universität in Marburg, Germany. Today, she integrates neuroscience findings that revolutionize the way we understand how human brains function and translates them into applicable and powerful leadership practices.

Karolin deeply cares about making the world of work a better place and enjoyed illustrating "The Psychological Safety Playbook".

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5 stars
109 (37%)
4 stars
126 (43%)
3 stars
48 (16%)
2 stars
6 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews
Profile Image for Sheri Bernard Trivedi.
6 reviews
February 21, 2023
This book is now right next to that small group of books that I keep near my desk, alongside Meeting Design by Kevin Hoffman and Thanks for the Feedback by Douglas Stone and Sheila Heen. These are books I grab and read through when I’m stuck, and what’s great about the Psychological Safety Playbook is that it’s truly meant to be taken in pieces, and reflected on at different times. The advice is so practical, and you’ll find yourself with a whole new understanding of the concepts depending on your current context, which makes it endlessly applicable.

While I’ve been in leadership positions for quite some time now, this book does an amazing job of making clear that the concepts and ideas apply to anyone hoping to create a psychologically safe culture. Are you just taking your first position out of school? You’ll get so much from this book. Are you new to management and looking for real advice you can implement tomorrow? This is also for you. With so much conversation around the future of work these days, we’ll all be happier with this simple guide driving our shared understanding of healthy organizations.
1 review
February 19, 2023
Psychological safety has been much talked about since Google’s Project Aristotle on the “perfect team” found it to be most important attribute of successful teams. What often remained missing in the discussion though was how to actually create a safe atmosphere in your team.

Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman dared to approach this big topic with a relatively small book, not aiming to be exhaustive, but focusing on 25 concrete tools anyone can implement. Their bravery was rewarded, they managed to write an easy to read book, that at the same time containis much valuable and concrete advice. The ideas range from small, but helpful shifts in language, prompts to shift the flow of conversations, changes in perspective and helpful reflections to mindset shifts, concrete meeting rules and rituals for changing team culture. While some ideas can be implemented right away, others will need some practice, and maybe even courage. If you have occupied yourself with the topic of leadership in the past, you probably have come across some of the ideas before – but the question really is whether you have implemented them into your default behavior in leading and working with your team.

The chapters are well structured, presented in a playful way and with personal stories from the authors’ experience to make the different concepts more tangible. The layout is very reader-friendly with many little graphics emphasizing key take-aways, and with recommendations for further reading at the end of every chapter for those who want to dig deeper.

Psychological safety is not something we establish once and then it’s there. So whether you want to secretly familiarize yourself with the magic ingrediencies of psychological safety, introduce the concept to your team or reflect on what more you might be able to do to build up a successful team, this book is for you.

Disclaimer: I have received a copy of the book before the official publication. No rewards for the review. The thoughts I've shared above are my own.
3 reviews
February 13, 2023
As a manager psychological welfare of my team is one of the most important topics today. A lot of books I found are either too scientific and not easy to apply. Or they are too plain. Helbigs and Normans playbook is well written, easy to understand and to apply with its twenty-five specific actions. And it is based on professional experience and scientific findings. The only downsize may be, that it feels sometimes too plain and simple for someone who is familiar with certain approaches. However, it´s a playbook and not a doctoral thesis, I found it a helpful tool and my team appreciated the approach and mindset.
I have received a copy of the book before the official publication. No rewards for the review 😊
Profile Image for Dr. Tobias Christian Fischer.
707 reviews37 followers
July 17, 2023
A great book to remind yourself to encourage others to participate and engage in conversations. It is an easy how to decrease barriers and invite others to participate openly.

#getabstract
Profile Image for Malia Stephens.
98 reviews
February 23, 2023
Well worth the read! Very digestible book with useful nuggets on how to build a psychological healthy organization. I enjoyed hearing the experiences of the authors and thought the format really drove home the why and how in ways that I felt I was ready to try to apply some of these lessons even from a mid-level/lower manager type role.

The lessons also included nutshell summaries, suggested readings, and cute stick figure drawings that humorously highlighted the message. Will likely suggest this as a read for future work book club and among other friends.
Profile Image for ōkami.
53 reviews4 followers
August 10, 2023
Creative an inclusive environment means making people psychologically safe and respected. This learned lessons from experience of Helbig and, mostly, the former Silicon Valley executive Norman, can be applied in every team or group, not necessarily in a business management environment but also on smaller project teams, classrooms, formal or informal groups.
Too often insicure or silent team members are not considered or invited to speak, and groups lose their contribution in order to move the balance always toward the same extroverted members.
A couple of points that I’ll make mine: the one about letting people challenging the leadership as a genuine form of development of both parts, encouraging courage (no pun intended) and good questions/answers; and the one about embracing failure to enhance performance outcomes befriending uncomfortable emotions. Somehow I consider them as intuitive best practices than common sense can reach as much as reading the book, but a refresh is good.
Profile Image for Kathy.
3 reviews
February 22, 2023
Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig have created a gem of a book on such a crucial topic - psychological safety. I learned a ton from this very practical and compact (166 pages) guide.

The compact playbook format alone is brilliant: Five plays (e.g., "Communicate Courageously") each containing five moves (e.g., "Solicit Diverse Perspectives"). Then each move includes a "Why to Try It", "How to Do It", and an "in a Nutshell" section. They've included a wealth of specific examples, real-world stories, and thought-provoking quotes. Each of the five plays concludes with a review and a list of phenomenal resources for a deeper dive into that topic.

My copy of the book is full of yellow highlighting - there are so many gems that I want to remember and continue to work on. I also listened to the audiobook (1 hour, 48 minutes) on a recent road trip and Minette Norman did a masterful job of narration, very engaging.
1 review
February 22, 2023
There are many leadership books that have great content and messaging. This book has both, but also includes some great things that set it apart:

1) Practical advice that can help you become a more effective leader immediately
2) A reading format that allows you to quickly and effectively digest the information
3) A focus on incorporating emotions and emotional IQ into your leadership toolkit

Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman have distilled a complex topic into practical steps you can take without losing the human and emotional elements needed for great leadership. This is a fantastic book for both leaders and those who aspire to leadership. It also spans leadership of all kinds, both on the business and personal fronts.

This is a great read and also a must-have on your reference bookshelf!
1 review
February 17, 2023
I am not an expert but a manager who believes in the principle of psychological safety and is looking for an approach to quickly learn what it is all about and how to apply the methodology.
The playbook’s messages are clear and crisp, straightforward and get to the point quickly. And the book has real case studies. That's where I find myself and can, depending on my needs, start fast and easily, not in a certain order, but where I want it and need it most. Perfect for busy leaders.
I prefer the direct speech suggestions, short and sweet and to the point, like "What am I missing?”, "Tell me more." Or "That feedback hit me harder than expected, and I'd like a minute to think about it."
It all works like a game. Just a playbook. And then when the practice starts, the book will become a reference book. No question, that I recommend it with full conviction.
1 review
February 22, 2023
Calendar packed? You want the essentials?
"Yeah, it's super important, but just give me the key point and I'll do it."

This is your book. Just read the pages 32, 60, 88, 116 and you have everything you need in one glance. And then I bet you'll want to keep reading. I absolutely recommend this book, it is on point and answers the question I have been asked so many times: "I am convinced of the concept of psychological safety. But how do I bring it to life?“
Read this book.
Profile Image for Johannes Meier.
2 reviews1 follower
February 16, 2023
This quick read - it took me less than 2h - nevertheless provides a very useful synthesis of practices that are key to effective leadership and group dynamics in teams. The emphasis of the book is on practices, heuristics or what the author call moves, but there are also some references to the state of the art of thinking on the dynamics of social and mental contexts.
While many of these practices should be intuitively clear, observations of real-world teams show that it takes a lot of self-reflection and discipline to implement them well.
Profile Image for Kaiti.
215 reviews2 followers
Read
November 9, 2024
Read this for work and really enjoyed it. Highly recommend, especially if you are a manager!
Profile Image for Tammy.
Author 6 books22 followers
February 8, 2023
Everyone wants to be heard, even in the workplace. As a leader, you set the standard for this to happen on a regular basis with your employees. This book will guide you to have a psychologically safe office, where employees will want to be a part of.

I love the quote the authors share which sums up the book well: "Psychological safety is 'a belief that one will not be punished or humiliated for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or mistakes.'" Definition by Amy C. Edmondson, Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School. And who doesn't want to work in an environment like this?

I recommend this book to any leader who wants a calm, happy and productive office.

Disclaimer: I received a digital copy of this book to read with no expectation in return. The thoughts I've shared above are my own.
1 review
February 12, 2023
There are books and books. Many cover essential topics, but some are not easy to read - the Psychological Safety Playbook is different.
It deals with the central topic for thriving teams and conveys lightness, practical relevance and puts the HOW in the foreground. What you expect from a playbook. Precisely written, reduced to the essentials and designed and illustrated with love, the book encourages the subject to be brought to life in practice. Simple - human - fun to work with
1 review
February 12, 2023
A successful organization needs its parts to work well. Leading it requires team members to speak up and contribute without fear. A strong leader does not have to prove herself, but will listen with genuine interest. This book, short but insightful, shows how, not just why to do this, with practical, proven steps.
31 reviews
July 8, 2023
Nice little useful book to remind us what is important

A lot of inspiration to notch-up your skills in making sure your team/organization becomes better at creating a safe environment. We should all read this one so we get a mutual syntax and be able to help each other with this. Kudos Karolin and Minette!
Profile Image for Paolo Tolentino.
11 reviews
July 4, 2023
A great guide and reference to cultivate safety in the workplace. Plenty of resources and data to follow up particular elements. This book can definitely be used for situations outside of the workplace as well, I.e. friendships, family, relationships, etc.
Profile Image for Michael Wolcott.
492 reviews4 followers
June 24, 2023
Super quick read, and super helpful tips. Great companion for any leader or team member interested in psych safety.
32 reviews
March 19, 2023
From Theory to Reality - Great Resource

A fantastic followup to The Fearless Organization / The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety.
Both are phenomenal in their explanations of 'what' is psychological safety (PS); the 'how' has to be extracted from between the lines
(and that's not a bad thing, given the purpose of the books - all get a 6 on 5 rating from me!)
This book addresses the 'how' of PS - how does one create PS by virtue of one's actions, which take place in the daily interactions we have with another human being.
A must-read for anyone becoming a people-leader, or improve their ability to work with another human (before the machines take over 😉)
I am a keen learner of this topic, and highly recommend this book.
Profile Image for Pınar Akdoğan.
4 reviews
January 10, 2024
It is a tool that can help you learn how to respond to and deal with difficult situations in the workplace. I would recommend it not only to improve your leadership skills but also to help you be a better person in the workplace.
Profile Image for Katie Axelson.
Author 2 books4 followers
February 23, 2023
This is a great starting place for those learning how to engage with and lead people from a psychological safety perspective.
Profile Image for Maileen Hamto.
282 reviews17 followers
October 28, 2023
The dynamics and challenges in today’s workplace require leaders to develop and harness skills that nurture healthy teams by ensuring psychological safety. Leadership consultants Dr. Karolin Helbig and Minette Norman co-authored “The Psychological Safety Playbook: Lead More Powerfully by Being More Human,” which offers readers actionable “plays” to adapt a mindful and transformative leadership style. As practitioners, Helbig and Norman tout the benefits of encouraging honest dialogue to ensure that people show up as their best and most creative selves in the workplace. The authors focus on 25 psychological safety moves for any leader, including: communicating courageously, listening, managing one’s reactions, embracing risk and failure, and emphasizing inclusivity and belonging. The authors discuss the importance of leaders practicing self-awareness to foster engagement and motivation.

Vignettes that start off each chapter are helpful teaching tools. The authors challenge traditional leadership models and demystify conventional notions of management do’s and don’ts. Each “play” briefly explains why we do what we do from a research perspective. For example, they discuss the neurobiology of the wandering mind and why it is often difficult for people to master the art of listening. The playbook is well-organized and structured, offering readers brief and right-sized morsels of leadership wisdom that they can immediately apply in workplace contexts.
Profile Image for Leila Bulling Towne.
6 reviews
March 1, 2023
I love this book. As an executive coach, I regularly coach leaders and teams, and the concept of psychological safety often comes up.

It's a necessary concept for leaders to master, yet it's not the easiest one to make tangible. Something has felt missing: the steps to make it EASY.

Well, this book fills that gap. It's a resource anyone can digest and use. It's not just for coaches or HR experts--it's for any leader of any size team--and new managers--this is a must for them.

The book is short (that's a plus), well organized, and appeals to people who want to learn WHAT psychological safety is and how to practice it and don't have the time to dig into a big, thick read or take a class.

The book is organized by the five "plays": communicate courageously; master the art of listening; manage your reactions; embrace risk and failure; design inclusive rituals.

I strongly recommend that all leaders buy this book and aim to learn about one play at a time. It will be fast and easy, and intimidation-free!
1 review
February 13, 2023
I remember when Minette gave me feedback years ago about my communication skills. She wrote down Listen, Reflect, Speak on a sticky note. The heart of this books is all about that key concept of communication. Even years later after implementing some of the points found in the book myself, I find this book an excellent read. Its short concise nature allows the busy business people to read it on the airplane or as a quick weekend read. From my experience I can say implementing some of these tools found in this book makes an unimaginable difference in your work with your team!
1 review
March 9, 2023
Hilbig and Norman have a done a great job with assisting leaders to ensure that Psychological Safety is practiced day to day in their organizations. Going along with the work in the area of mindfulness and self-awareness, the authors indicate that leaders must be "highly self-aware" in order to not be detracted from psychological safety. So, as they espouse, leaders must "become self-aware and learn how to manage their reactions." How so? Respond productively and build on other's ideas. This will certainly create an environment that is psychologically safe for all.
Profile Image for Chelle.
186 reviews
June 7, 2024
An interesting read.

I appreciate the fact it was concise and to the point on the 5 plays, however I wish there had been a little more expansion on some of the ideas. A version of this book too that was more inclusive of the WFH business model companies are taking on would be helpful too. Providing security by being human and vulnerable is a great idea, but difficult to accomplish (in my opinion) without face to face conversations and expressions. I'll probably try to pick up a couple of their recommended readings to see if they can help on this front.
Profile Image for R.J..
Author 4 books79 followers
November 12, 2024
Aimed at workplace communication, but it's a really great foundation for communication in general. Viewing communication as a tool, learning to disengage from unproductive arguments, and recognizing toxic communication behaviors in yourself and others. Great for relationship communication because it give solid:

What to do
Why do it
Things to remember
How to implement it

Overall, I recommend it for anyone wanting to dig deeper into productive communication; be it in the workplace or outside of.
155 reviews2 followers
February 17, 2024
For anyone trying to make their space safer for growth and exploration. This is aimed at the workplace, but it could be adapted to other areas. If you've already mastered mindfulness, emotional agility, and positive intelligence, you can skip this.
Profile Image for Laura.
174 reviews37 followers
March 12, 2024
This book should be a must read for anyone in a leadership position. One of the main reasons people leave a job is dissatisfaction with a supervisor. Being a leader is as skill set and this book provides people the skills to be a more impactful leader.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 44 reviews

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