What do high performance teams have in common ?
Psychological Safety 💯
Recently, I had the privilege of attending an intensive course on psychological safety in high-performance teams. This course is part of the Australian Institute Of Sport (AIS) commitment to building sustainable sporting success and capability across the high-performance (HP) system.
A few key lessons stood out:
Psychological safety is the bedrock of high performance. When team members feel safe taking risks, making mistakes, and voice concerns, innovation, problem-solving, and honest feedback are unlocked.
Leadership sets the tone. The behaviours modelled by leaders ripple throughout the organisation. Are you leading with empathy, curiosity, and humility? Do you encourage authenticity over posturing? Your example shapes the environment.
Listen deeply. Ask questions. Stay humble. The strongest teams exhibit high levels of care and respect for diverse perspectives. Make it a priority to truly understand where others are coming from before reacting.
It’s a journey. There are no quick fixes. Building trust and psychological safety takes time, consistency, and intentionality in every interaction. Be patient with yourself and others.
It all depends. Acknowledge the complexity, context, and conditions that affect the answer to a question, inviting a deeper exploration.
While we often focus on strategy, skills, and resources, the health of our culture trumps all. Do we give people permission to be their true selves? Can we handle disagreement with grace? Are we willing to be vulnerable? A psychologically safe environment unleashes the full potential within people and teams. It’s up to us as leaders to foster it.
There were so many other lessons and insights from the week. When we get this right, performance takes care of itself. When people feel safe speaking up, sharing ideas, admitting mistakes, and taking risks, the magic happens!
I am deeply grateful for the wisdom shared by AIS Australian Sports Commission, Jo Clark OAM OLY, and David Schofield, who facilitated this workshop with passion and expertise.
Each of the course participants brought invaluable insights and experiences that enriched our learning journey. Thank you!:
Sami Palmer, Gymnastics Australia,
Jodii Maguire,
Justin Morris AusCycling
Carla Dziwoki, Cricket Australia
Belinda Creer, Athletics Australia
Alana Rybicki, Olympic Winter Institute of Australia
Sarah Cook OLY, Rowing Australia,
Shani Cashin, Gymnastics Coach
Julia Lawrence, Australian Sports Commission,
Ash Brunning, Australian Sailing,
Clare Walker, Badminton Australia,
Kay Robinson, Football Australia, and
Kelly Lean, Australian Sports Commission.
I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this community, and I’m excited to continue our shared mission of high performance. Spending time with like-minded people passionate about growth and supporting athletes is a privilege.