Circle of Safety
Creating psychological safety in organizations
Key Principles
1
Create an environment where employees feel safe from internal threats
2
Leaders prioritize team well-being over short-term profits
3
Foster trust and psychological safety for innovation
4
Eliminate fear-based management practices
5
Encourage open communication and risk-taking
6
Build unified teams that can face external challenges together
Practical Applications
Implement regular one-on-one meetings to build trust
Create policies that protect employees from internal politics
Encourage leaders to admit mistakes and show vulnerability
Establish clear communication channels for concerns
Recognize and reward collaborative behaviors
Train managers to prioritize team development over personal advancement
Deep Dive
Circle of Safety
The “Circle of Safety,” a core concept from Simon Sinek’s book Leaders Eat Last, refers to a workplace culture where employees feel secure, valued, and supported by their leadership. It’s an environment free from internal threats such as fear, intimidation, and internal competition, allowing individuals to feel safe both physically and emotionally.
Purpose
The primary goal of establishing a Circle of Safety is to foster an environment where employees can collaborate effectively, innovate freely, and thrive without fear of being undermined or exploited. This psychological safety encourages open communication, risk-taking, and meaningful contributions.
Role of Leadership
Leaders are crucial in creating and maintaining this circle. They do so by prioritizing the well-being of their people over immediate profits, cultivating trust, and encouraging cooperation. Sinek contrasts these “circle makers” with “line makers,” who are focused on individual advancement at the expense of others. The phrase “Leaders Eat Last” symbolizes this leadership philosophy, where leaders put their team’s needs before their own.
Benefits
When a Circle of Safety is successfully implemented, organizations experience:
- Increased employee engagement
- Stronger collaboration
- Greater innovation
- Enhanced loyalty
- Improved productivity
It leads to a unified team better equipped to overcome external challenges. The concept is rooted in the fundamental human need for safety and security. When these needs are met within an organizational context, it naturally leads to trust and cooperation among team members.
