How did Psychological Safety Start?

The Origins, the Thinker Behind It, and Why It Matters

When we talk about thriving teams today, one concept keeps coming up again and again: psychological safety. It’s become a cornerstone for building workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and collaborate openly. But where did this idea come from, and who is behind it?

The Origins of Psychological Safety

The seeds of psychological safety were planted in the late 20th century, when researchers began exploring why some teams performed better than others despite having equally talented members. It became clear that the differentiating factor wasn’t skills or resources, but the environment itself.

In 1999, Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson published groundbreaking research showing that the highest-performing teams weren’t those with zero mistakes, but rather those where members felt safe enough to admit errors, ask questions, and challenge ideas. This was counterintuitive at the time as mistakes were often equated with failure. Edmondson’s insight reframed the conversation: the ability to learn from mistakes collectively was the true advantage.

Who Is Amy Edmondson? 

Amy Edmondson, the Novartis Professor of Leadership and Management at Harvard Business School, is widely recognized as the pioneer who defined and popularized psychological safety. Her research proved that cultures of respect and inclusion fuel innovation, adaptability, and performance. The concept gained global visibility when Google’s Project Aristotle identified psychological safety as the top driver of high-performing teams, bringing Edmondson’s work into mainstream business practice. Beyond academia, she co-founded the Fearless Organization, which equips leaders with tools like the Fearless Organization Scan and Practitioner Cohort to measure and strengthen psychological safety in their workplaces.

Why It Matters Today… And in MENA

Organizations across MENA are navigating rapid transformation - whether it’s digital adoption, economic diversification, or expanding into global markets. In this context, rigid hierarchies and fear-driven compliance limit progress. What companies need instead are employees who feel safe to share ideas, voice concerns, and challenge the status quo.

Psychological safety provides that foundation. It enables leaders to unlock contributions from every level of the organization, fostering innovation and resilience in environments where adaptability is essential. In a region balancing deep-rooted traditions with fast-paced change, psychological safety is a practical, science-backed discipline that helps teams perform, grow, and succeed.

👉 Read more about the Fearless Organization Scan to start your psychological safety journey, identify where your team stands, and build the behaviors needed to become truly high-performing. Reach out to our team to learn more.