Anton Guinea
Entrepreneur, Speaker, bestselling author, and founder of The Guinea Group of Companies. For over 15 years, Anton has helped leaders move their teams to become psychologically safe, physically safe and overall better versions of themselves.
Creating a workplace where creation and innovation thrive starts with fostering psychological safety — a space where everyone feels comfortable expressing themselves without fear of negative consequences.
The penultimate aspect of this is challenger safety, where team members feel empowered to question the status quo, offer alternative viewpoints, and challenge ideas, even when it involves disagreeing (professionally) with leadership.
Challenger safety drives innovation, critical thinking, and deeper collaboration. Here are three ways leaders can cultivate challenger safety within their teams:
1. Normalise Constructive Disagreement
To foster challenger safety, it’s crucial to create a culture where disagreement is viewed as a healthy part of decision-making. When team members feel safe to offer differing opinions, new ideas emerge, and blind spots are revealed. As a leader, you can model how to engage in constructive disagreement respectfully and productively.
Tip: In discussions, encourage your team to voice alternative perspectives and challenge assumptions. Show appreciation for diverse viewpoints, even when you don’t agree, and remind the team that respectful debate leads to better outcomes.
2. Reward Courageous Contributions
Challenging the status quo requires courage. Leaders should recognise and reward individuals who step up to share bold ideas or raise tough questions. By publicly acknowledging these contributions, you send the message that constructive challenges are not just allowed, but encouraged.
Tip: Celebrate instances when team members take risks in discussions or present out-of-the-box solutions. Recognise their efforts in team meetings or private conversations, reinforcing that taking a stand is valued.
3. Lead with Humility and Openness
Leaders who demonstrate openness to feedback and humility in admitting when they’re wrong create a powerful example. When your team sees that you’re receptive to being challenged and willing to adapt, it fosters trust and encourages them to speak up. This environment of openness builds confidence among team members to challenge ideas without fear of retaliation or dismissal.
Tip: After making a decision, ask the team for feedback on what could be improved. If someone offers a challenging viewpoint, thank them for their input and make adjustments if appropriate. Leading by example shows that you value growth over ego.
By developing challenger safety, leaders create a space where bold ideas flourish, innovation thrives, and the team is continuously evolving. A team that feels safe to challenge is a team that’s ready to succeed.
Let’s build teams where questioning the status quo is the norm, not the exception!
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UPGRADE your Mindset
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