Psychological Safety Ladder Canvas

When to use Psychological Safety Ladder Canvas

Use this method when a team needs to openly discuss and address issues related to psychological safety, trust, and collaboration. It's particularly useful when there's a sense that team members are hesitant to speak up or take risks.

What it solves

Lack of open communication, Fear of failure, Groupthink

How to run Psychological Safety Ladder Canvas, step by step

1. **Face the Ladder (20 mins):** Have each team member individually assess each statement on the ladder (Belonging, Diversity of Thought, Innovation) using a color code (Green=Yes, Yellow=Maybe, Red=No).
2. **Assess Each Level (20 mins):** Consolidate the individual assessments to determine which levels are strong (75%+ Green), weak (50-75% Green), or broken (<50% Green). Facilitate a group discussion about the results.
3. **Repair the Steps (30 mins):** Choose one 'broken' or 'weak' step to focus on. Brainstorm specific behaviors the team wants to 'start,' 'stop,' and 'continue' doing to improve that step. Create a team contract based on these behaviors.
4. **Action and Monitor (Ongoing):** Implement the agreed-upon behaviors and regularly monitor progress. Once one step is improved, move on to the next.

Materials needed

• Psychological Safety Ladder Canvas (printed or digital)
• Sticky notes (Green, Yellow, Red)
• Pens
• Timer
• Whiteboard or virtual whiteboard (Miro, Mural)

Facilitator tips

• Emphasize that the goal is not to assign blame, but to identify areas for improvement.
• Create a safe space by setting ground rules for respectful communication.
• Encourage active listening and empathy during the discussions.

Common pitfalls

• Team members are hesitant to be honest in their assessments. - Ensure anonymity and emphasize the importance of candor for improvement.
• The conversation becomes negative and focused on past failures. - Redirect the focus to future actions and solutions.

Variations

• Use a Likert scale (1-5) instead of color codes for a more nuanced assessment.
• Invite an external facilitator to lead the session for increased objectivity.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a virtual whiteboard tool like Miro or Mural to replicate the canvas. Ensure anonymity when voting to encourage honest feedback.

What it produces

A shared understanding of the team's current level of psychological safety, prioritized action items for improvement, and a team contract of desired behaviors.

Origin

Created by Gustavo Razzetti — source

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