Afternoon Cyber Tea with Ann Johnson The Psychology of Speaking Up with Amy Edmondson
Aug 19, 2025
Amy Edmondson, a Harvard Business School professor known for her groundbreaking work in psychological safety, shares invaluable insights on fostering open communication in high-stakes environments like cybersecurity. She discusses the importance of creating safe spaces where teams can speak up without fear, highlighting historical events like the Challenger disaster. Edmondson emphasizes leadership vulnerability, the dynamics of effective teaming during crises, and the need for a learn-it culture that embraces failures as opportunities for growth.
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Personal Memory Of Challenger Launch
- Ann Johnson recalls watching the Challenger launch in college and the shock when it failed.
- That memory illustrates how silence and pressure can cost lives when people don't speak up.
Discussable Fear vs Private Shame
- Fear can be productive when it is collective and discussable.
- Private fear and shame undermine safety and increase risk.
Embrace The Red As A Treasure
- Reframe 'red' findings as treasures that enable improvement.
- Shift blame cultures toward asking how to respond faster and learn from errors.
