the fearless organization the fearless organization Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth Amy C. Edmondson H A R V A R D B U S I N E S S S C H O O L Copyright©2019byJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.Allrightsreserved. PublishedbyJohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,Hoboken,NewJersey. PublishedsimultaneouslyinCanada. Nopartofthispublicationmaybereproduced,storedinaretrievalsystem,ortransmittedinanyform orbyanymeans,electronic,mechanical,photocopying,recording,scanning,orotherwise,exceptas permittedunderSection107or108ofthe1976UnitedStatesCopyrightAct,withouteitherthe priorwrittenpermissionofthePublisher,orauthorizationthroughpaymentoftheappropriate per-copyfeetotheCopyrightClearanceCenter,Inc.,222RosewoodDrive,Danvers,MA01923, (978)750-8400,fax(978)646-8600,orontheWebatwww.copyright.com.Requeststothe PublisherforpermissionshouldbeaddressedtothePermissionsDepartment,JohnWiley&Sons,Inc., 111RiverStreet,Hoboken,NJ07030,(201)748-6011,fax(201)748-6008,oronlineathttp://www .wiley.com/go/permissions. LimitofLiability/DisclaimerofWarranty:Whilethepublisherandauthorhaveusedtheirbestefforts inpreparingthisbook,theymakenorepresentationsorwarrantieswithrespecttotheaccuracyor completenessofthecontentsofthisbookandspecificallydisclaimanyimpliedwarrantiesof merchantabilityorfitnessforaparticularpurpose.Nowarrantymaybecreatedorextendedbysales representativesorwrittensalesmaterials.Theadviceandstrategiescontainedhereinmaynotbe suitableforyoursituation.Youshouldconsultwithaprofessionalwhereappropriate.Neitherthe publishernorauthorshallbeliableforanylossofprofitoranyothercommercialdamages,including butnotlimitedtospecial,incidental,consequential,orotherdamages. Forgeneralinformationonourotherproductsandservicesorfortechnicalsupport,pleasecontactour CustomerCareDepartmentwithintheUnitedStatesat(800)762-2974,outsidetheUnitedStatesat (317)572-3993orfax(317)572-4002. Wileypublishesinavarietyofprintandelectronicformatsandbyprint-on-demand.Somematerial includedwithstandardprintversionsofthisbookmaynotbeincludedine-booksorin print-on-demand.IfthisbookreferstomediasuchasaCDorDVDthatisnotincludedinthe versionyoupurchased,youmaydownloadthismaterialathttp://booksupport.wiley.com.Formore informationaboutWileyproducts,visitwww.wiley.com. LibraryofCongressCataloging-in-PublicationData Names:Edmondson,AmyC.,author. Title:Thefearlessorganization:creatingpsychologicalsafetyinthe workplaceforlearning,innovation,andgrowth/AmyC.Edmondson. Description:Hoboken,NewJersey:JohnWiley&Sons,Inc.,[2019]|Includes index.| Identifiers:LCCN2018033732(print)|LCCN2018036160(ebook)|ISBN 9781119477228(AdobePDF)|ISBN9781119477266(ePub)|ISBN9781119477242 (hardcover) Subjects:LCSH:Organizationalbehavior.|Organizational learning—Psychologicalaspects.|Psychology,Industrial. Classification:LCCHD58.7(ebook)|LCCHD58.7.E2872019(print)|DDC 658.3/82—dc23 LCrecordavailableathttps://lccn.loc.gov/2018033732 CoverDesign:Wiley PrintedintheUnitedStatesofAmerica 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 To George Whose curiosity and passion make him a great scientist and leader – and who knows all too well that fear is the enemy of flourishing. Brief Contents Introduction xiii PARTI The Power of Psychological Safety 1 Chapter1 The Underpinning 3 Chapter2 The Paper Trail 25 PARTII Psychological Safety at Work 51 Chapter3 Avoidable Failure 53 Chapter4 Dangerous Silence 77 Chapter5 The Fearless Workplace 103 Chapter6 Safe and Sound 129 PARTIII Creating a Fearless Organization 151 Chapter7 Making it Happen 153 Chapter8 What’s Next? 187 vii viii BriefContents Appendix: Variations in survey measures to Illustrate Robustness of Psychological Safety 213 Acknowledgments 217 About the Author 219 Index 221