Why Your Team Stays Silent (And How to Fix It)
These 5 leadership shifts helped one team double feedback in 6 weeks.
Chris March
June 08, 2025
In partnership with
Your team won’t fix what they’re afraid to reveal
Psychological safety isn’t soft. It scales performance.
Some teams hide problems.
Others solve them before you even see them.
It’s not about talent.
It’s about trust.
And trust doesn’t happen by accident.
It’s built with intention.
Last year, I coached a senior director.
Her team was disengaged and silent.
“ I have an open-door policy,” she said.
“But they never walk through it.”
That’s the trap: access does not equal safety.
Within 6 weeks, her team doubled their feedback volume.
Problems surfaced earlier. Solutions came faster.
Google’s Project Aristotle identified psychological safety as the
#1 factor in high-performing teams.
Yet, studies show fewer than 1 in 4 employees feel safe speaking up at work.
But when they do:
→ Retention increases 4x
→ Innovation accelerates
→ Problems get solved earlier
The SAFER Model: 5 Shifts That Build Trust
S – Share your own mistakes
Leaders go first.
Own your missteps and normalize failure.
A – Ask with curiosity, not critique
Swap “Why did you do that?”
For “Help me understand your thinking.”
One invites reflection. The other triggers defense.
F – Frame feedback intentionally
Create a “no immediate judgment” zone.
Let every idea breathe before it’s challenged.
E – Encourage friction
Assign a rotating devil’s advocate.
Make disagreement a habit, not a risk.
R – Respond with gratitude
Bad news? Start with “Thank you.”
Your first reaction determines whether you'll hear the next issue.
Would your team bring you bad news today?
If not, safety isn’t present.
And without safety, performance has a ceiling.
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Your Leadership Challenge
Choose 1 SAFER strategy.
Use it in your next 1:1.
Watch what shifts. Then double down.
Clarity creates confidence.
Safety unlocks speed.
Great leaders build both.
Final Thoughts
Safety isn’t soft. It’s strategic.
When people feel safe, they speak up.
And when they speak up, teams win.
What’s one shift you’ll make this week?
—
Chris
P.S. Want a printable version of the SAFER™ checklist?
→ Reply with “SAFETY” and I’ll send it over.
If you’re working to create a culture where feedback flows and performance scales,
I work with senior leaders and teams to do exactly that.
Reply or book a call here if you'd like to explore working together.
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