The 4 Stages of Psychological Safety

The four stages of psychological safety describe how teams build trust and openness. First, “Fear of Negative Evaluation” occurs when members worry about being judged negatively. Then, “Learning to Take Risks” happens as they start sharing ideas despite fears. Next, “Sharing Personal Ideas and Perspectives” involves openly contributing, feeling valued. Finally, “Being Fully Open and Authentic” means team members comfortably express themselves honestly, even making mistakes, knowing they’re accepted. These stages help create a supportive environment where everyone feels safe to contribute, learn, and grow.