“ You can’ t help create safety for others if you don’ t feel safe yourself.”
“ You can’ t help create safety for others if you don’ t feel safe yourself.”
What is psychologically safe?
Genevieve Hawkins has three ways EAs can help create the kind of workplace where people feel safe to speak up and contribute their best
Most organisations understand they need to create a physically safe workplace. Health and safety protocols are standard, with clear consequences for managers who breach requirements. But what about psychological safety; the feeling that it’ s safe to speak up, ask questions and contribute ideas without fear of negative consequences?
As an EA, you’ re uniquely positioned to influence this. You work closely with senior leaders, observe team dynamics and can be a bridge between different levels of the organisation. You see firsthand how leadership behaviour affects the wider team and you’ re trusted enough to have conversations that others can’ t.
Creating psychological safety isn’ t just about meeting legal obligations or avoiding complaints. When people feel safe to contribute their best thinking, energy gets focused where it’ s needed most rather than being wasted on office politics or fear-based behaviours.
Start with your own safety You can’ t help create safety for others if you don’ t feel safe yourself. And our experiences shape how we interpret situations, in terms of what feels threatening and what feels safe. When you’ re stressed or feeling defensive, your brain releases cortisol, making it harder to think clearly or respond constructively.
50 Executive PA | Spring Issue 2025