In the intensive care unit at Bispebjerg and Frederiksberg Hospital, the work on psychological safety begins with getting to know each other. Head Nurse Mette Uldbæk explained how she has made it a priority to understand both her employees’ professional expertise and their lives outside work: “I’ve got to know each member of staff, both personally and professionally.” This provides a better foundation for understanding both the individual and what happens between colleagues in a demanding working environment.

But the concept itself does not need to dominate the conversation. “We don’t like fancy terminology. We don’t make a big thing of the term psychological safety. We just want to do it,” she explained. She described the everyday work of building relationships: paying attention to the atmosphere, creating the right setting for discussions and being aware of what each individual needs.

Leading experienced professionals does not mean having to have all the answers yourself. “It’s easy for me not to be the expert. They know I come from outside the department,” she said, describing how this allows her to bring a different perspective to the department. What matters, however, is consistency between words and actions: “I make a point of doing what I say.”

Asked what advice she would give other leaders, her answer was: “It’s not a method you can simply follow. It’s there all the time.” Psychological safety is an ongoing effort that continues through the everyday interactions between people.