Exploring the process of changing psychological safety: The effect of a team-building intervention

Organizations are more effective when employees feel safe to discuss failures, which is referred to as psychological safety. This research examined the constructs that are related to changes in psychological safety, in the context of a team-building intervention. The aim of this research was to provide a broader framework of psychological safety and the change of psychological safety. Participants of the Dutch National police filled out a survey before and after a team-building intervention. In addition, several interviews were conducted. The combined results of both studies show that psychological safety is positively correlated with perceived organizational support, team cohesion, police work-efficacy. Changes in psychological safety are most positively correlated with intervention-related self-efficacy. However, there are several factors that moderate this change. The enthusiastic and open-hearted employees of an organization are most likely to enhance psychological safety among other employees.