Psychological Safety: The Research (Part 2)
Beyond Self Care
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This is the second part of a fascinating conversation with Dr. Fei Wang on research on psychological safety in the education system. If you haven’t listened to Part 1 - you might want to go back now and catch up! In this episode, Gail, guest co-host Caroline Picard, and Dr. Wang explore the challenges and opportunities surrounding psychological safety in school leadership. They discuss the hierarchical structures that often impede open communication, risk-taking, and creative decision-making, particularly for principals and vice-principals. The conversation highlights the complexities of the work environment and the critical need for a respectful, trust-filled atmosphere. Despite the difficulties, the episode ends on a hopeful note, emphasizing the importance of starting conversations and integrating psychological safety into the well-being support services for school leaders.
“There’s an urgent need to cultivate a climate of psychological safety that invites open communication, risk-taking, and creative decision-making among school leaders—a climate in which school leaders feel psychologically safe to say, ‘The Emperor has no clothes.’”
Show Notes:
Guest Dr. Fei Wang (full bio) is an associate professor at the University of British Columbia.
Key Discussion Points:
Hierarchical Structures: Dr. Wang explains how middle management roles, with their conflicting demands and interests, contribute significantly to the lack of psychological safety among school leaders.
Complexity: The increasing complexity of educational work creates an environment where school leaders often feel unsafe to speak up or take risks.
BIPOC Administrators: Dr. Wang highlights the additional challenges faced by BIPOC school administrators and the need for improved support and inclusion.
Research on School Administrators mentioned in the podcast: Link to an infographic summary of his research highlights.
Missed Part 1? Listen here!
“If principals and vice principals are not psychologically safe, their wisdom as great, passionate educators is lost!”
