Unlock Potential with Psychological Safety: "Momma Bear" Leadership
- Timothy Fielder
- 4 days ago
- 6 min read
When conflict arises, do you see it as a threat you must ferociously fight to protect your team or as an opportunity for growth for you and your team?
It may surprise you that I think it can be either, or even both. Let's explore why being a great leader means you are both a shield and a facilitator of learning and growth. And, how it all boils down to a foundation of strong psychological safety.
What IS psychological safety?
Psychological Safety is the term, popularized by Harvard Business School professor Amy Edmondson, that refers to a climate in which people feel comfortable expressing themselves and taking risks without fear of negative consequences or punishment. It's a person's belief that they won't be humiliated, blamed, or penalized for speaking up with ideas, questions, concerns, or even mistakes.
As a leader, fostering this type of environment is a huge factor in creating a high performing team. When your team feels psychologically safe, they are more likely to:
Raise potential issues or conflicts early: Instead of letting small disagreements fester.
Offer innovative solutions, even if they seem unconventional: Without fear of being ridiculed.
Admit mistakes openly: Leading to faster learning and problem-solving.
Challenge the status quo constructively: Contributing to continuous improvement.
Engage in healthy debate: Leading to more robust decision-making.
So, you could say that psychological safety transforms conflict from a combat theater into an arena for growth and collective understanding.
I call this being a “Momma Bear Leader.”
What is a Momma Bear Leader?
When you read “Momma Bear Leader” just now, what came to your mind? Maybe it’s just me, but what always came to my mind was about how ferocious they can be when protecting their cubs. We are often told that if you see bear cubs in the wild, it’s a dangerous place to be because their momma is surely close by and will tear you apart to protect them.
So, am I telling you that you should enter a blind rage when Suzy from accounting walks into your field of cubicles unaware? Obviously not. But protecting your team from external threats is part of it for sure. But a momma bear does so much more than that for her cubs.
Beyond Fierce Protection: Nurturing a Safe Den
Just like a mother bear does more than just guard against predators, a "Momma Bear Leader" actively nurtures a safe and supportive "den" for their team. They both create an environment where those they supervise feel secure enough to be themselves, take risks, and grow. Here's how:
Championing Open Communication
A mother bear communicates with her cubs through various sounds and cues, creating a constant sense of connection and understanding. Similarly, a "Momma Bear Leader" fosters open and honest communication within the team. This means:
Active Listening: Truly hearing and validating team members' perspectives, even when they differ.
Encouraging Questions: Making it clear that asking for clarification is valued and expected.
Creating Space for Dialogue: Facilitating regular opportunities for team members to share ideas, concerns, and feedback without fear of judgment.
Modeling Courageous Vulnerability
A mother bear isn't afraid to show her cubs when she's cautious or assessing a situation. Likewise, a "Momma Bear Leader" demonstrates that it's okay to be human by:
Admitting Mistakes: Owning up to errors openly and discussing lessons learned.
Saying "I Don't Know": Being honest about knowledge gaps and seeking collective solutions.
Sharing Appropriate Challenges: Letting the team see that leadership isn't always easy, fostering empathy and trust.
Cultivating a Culture of Learning
A mother bear teaches her cubs essential skills through patience and guidance, understanding that they will stumble and learn along the way. A "Momma Bear Leader" fosters a culture where:
Mistakes are Seen as Learning Opportunities: Focusing on analysis and improvement rather than blame.
Experimentation is Encouraged: Creating space for trying new things, even if there's a risk of failure.
Feedback is Given and Received Constructively: Focusing on growth and development.
Proactively Navigating Conflict with Care
When cubs squabble, a mother bear intervenes to ensure their safety and help them learn to navigate social dynamics. A "Momma Bear Leader" approaches conflict by:
Stepping in Early: Addressing tensions before they escalate.
Facilitating Understanding: Helping team members see different perspectives.
Focusing on Resolution and Growth: Guiding the team towards solutions and learning from disagreements.
Standing Guard Against External Threats
And, of course, a mother bear instinctively stands in the way of outsiders that might want to cause harm to her cubs. Similarly, a "Momma Bear Leader" actively protects their team from external threats that could undermine their psychological safety. This includes:
Buffering Unnecessary Pressure: Shielding the team from unrealistic deadlines or constantly shifting priorities imposed from outside.
Advocating for Resources: Ensuring the team has the tools and support they need to succeed, reducing stress and feelings of inadequacy.
Managing Negative External Influences: Intervening when other departments or individuals create a toxic or blame-oriented environment that could impact the team's sense of safety.
Fighting Unfair Criticism: Publicly and privately defending the team against unwarranted attacks or accusations.
Unlocking Potential: The Rewards of a "Momma Bear" Approach
So, why go to all this effort to embrace your inner "Momma Bear" and nurture your team's psychological safety? The rewards for both your team and your overall success are huge. When your team feels secure, respected, and empowered to be themselves, you unlock a secret level of positive outcomes:
Unleashed Innovation and Creativity
Just as bear cubs feel safe to explore and play within their den, a psychologically safe team feels empowered to brainstorm unconventional ideas, experiment with new approaches, and challenge the status quo without fear of embarrassment or failure. This leads to greater innovation and a more dynamic team.
Enhanced Problem-Solving and Decision-Making
When team members feel safe to raise their concerns, ask clarifying questions, and even respectfully disagree, you get a wider selection of perspectives to draw from. Mistakes are identified and addressed more quickly, and decisions are more sturdy and intelligent. The "Momma Bear" creates an environment where the best ideas rise to the surface, regardless of where or who they come from.
Increased Engagement and Motivation
A team that feels psychologically safe is a team that feels valued. When your team believes their contributions matter and their voices are heard, they are more invested in the team's success, leading to higher levels of engagement and intrinsic motivation. The "Momma Bear's" care is symbiotic with loyalty and commitment.
Improved Learning and Growth
In a safe environment, mistakes are seen as learning opportunities, not discipline invoking failures. The "Momma Bear" encourages this growth mindset, leading to continuous improvement both individually and as a team. Team members are more willing to take on new challenges and develop their skills.
Stronger Team Cohesion and Trust
When team members feel they can be who they really are without fear of judgment, it builds deeper levels of trust and stronger interpersonal relationships. The "Momma Bear's" consistent protection and nurturing create a tight-knit and supportive team.
More Effective Conflict Resolution
As we touched on earlier, psychological safety transforms conflict from a destructive force into an opportunity for growth. When team members trust that disagreements will be handled fairly and respectfully (under the watchful eye of the "Momma Bear"), they are more willing to engage in constructive dialogue and find mutually beneficial solutions.
Brain Science: The Reason Our Brains Crave Psychological Safety
Why does creating this "safe den" have such a powerful impact? Well, there's some solid science behind it. Psychological Safety (Edmondson, 1999) suggests that when a leader goes to bat for their team and has their backs, they develop an environment where team members feel secure; comfortable enough to voice concerns, take risks, and offer suggestions without the fear of discipline or consequences.
Think about it on a basic level: when we feel threatened or unsafe (socially or otherwise), our brains go into survival mode. This triggers a stress response that actually hinders higher-level thinking, creativity, and collaboration. It's like trying to brainstorm while locked in a lion cage – your focus is on escape and survival, not innovation.
Conversely, when we feel safe and supported, our brains can relax and focus on things like problem-solving, connecting with others, and generating new ideas. By acting as that "Momma Bear" – protecting your team and creating a secure environment – you're essentially calming their neurological "threat response" and freeing them up to perform at their best.
Embrace Your Inner “Momma Bear”
In the wild and unpredictable landscape of team leadership, the instinct to protect and nurture your team is a superpower. When you prioritize psychological safety – by becoming that "Momma Bear" who fiercely advocates for their cubs and creates a secure den – you are creating a ripe environment for a truly high-performing team.
It's about more than just shielding them from external threats; it's about providing them an environment where they feel empowered to speak up, take risks, learn from mistakes, and challenge the status quo without fear. It's about understanding that when their brains feel safe, their potential is free and unencumbered.
So, embrace your inner "Momma Bear." Lead with courage, with empathy, and with a commitment to creating a psychologically safe space for your team to thrive. The rewards – increased innovation, stronger collaboration, deeper engagement, and ultimately, greater success – are well worth the effort. Your team isn't just a collection of individuals; they are your pack. Lead them with the fierce care and loyal protection they deserve, and watch them conquer the world.
What are your thoughts on leading like a "Momma Bear" to build psychological safety? Share your experiences or insights in the comments below!
Comments