How to turn a group of strangers into a team | Amy Edmondson?

You can turn strangers into a team by helping them feel safe enough to make mistakes and share their ideas.

Imagine you're on a playground, and you've just been given a new group of friends to play with. You don’t know anyone, and you’re all trying to build the tallest tower ever, but no one wants to speak up because they’re scared it might fall. That’s like being in a team where people are too afraid to say what they think.

Psychological safety is like having a soft pillow under your feet when you're on that playground, you know if you trip, someone will catch you. Amy Edmondson says the best teams have this kind of safety.

1. Start with small steps: Let people share something easy first, like their favorite game.
2. Celebrate mistakes: If a tower falls, laugh about it and try again, it’s part of the fun!
3. Encourage everyone to speak up: Ask questions like, “What do you think we should do next?”

When people feel safe, they’ll start working together, just like friends on a playground who become a team!