Skip to content

If you are in need of immediate assistance please dial 9-1-1 or 9-8-8. You’re not alone in this journey. Find more trusted local resources.

Strategies for Cultivating Psychological Safety

Actors and writer discussing a scene on set.

Staying Grounded Under Pressure

Scenario: Jane, a new team leader responsible for managing a team, found herself in a challenging situation during a recent meeting. When a team member posed a difficult question, Jane’s immediate reaction was defensiveness, accompanied by a sudden flush of emotion. Since assuming her new role, Jane has been grappling with self-doubt, which was exacerbated by the perceived challenge to her decision-making and authority. Regrettably, Jane chose to shut down the question, interpreting it as an attack on both her judgment and her position.

Observing the ensuing silence from the team members for the rest of the meeting, Jane realized her response’s impact. The atmosphere grew increasingly awkward, and the once-open exchange of thoughts and collaborative problem-solving dwindled in the aftermath.

The importance of being self-aware and learning how to manage emotions is an important part of leadership. In Jane’s example, her team did not feel safe continuing with the meeting and expressing their thoughts and concerns openly. Emotions are an important part of the human experience and leaders aren’t exempt from this. Jane’s experiencing strong emotions when posed with a challenging question is normal and valid. However, there are some skills they could learn to have a more helpful response that creates safety for their team.

Why Self-Awareness Matters in Leadership

Being aware of your reactions and knowing how to manage them is a critical leadership skill, especially in industries where safety, teamwork, and communication matter so significantly. When leaders react defensively, even unintentionally, it can signal to others that it’s not safe to raise concerns or ask questions. Defensiveness in public spaces can have an amplified impact. Leadership can influence the overall tone of the work environment, so knowing how to keep everyone safe and comfortable is essential.

Strong emotions in moments of high stress or pressure are normal. Leaders are human, and tension can cause instinctive reactions. The goal is to respond in ways that keep communication open and crews psychologically safe.

Non-Defensive Reactions: Hit the Pause Button

Defensiveness is a common response to feeling challenged. It can present physically with symptoms such as a racing heart, tight chest, and flushed face — similar to a stress or fight-or-flight response. In these situations, our initial instinct may be to respond, but taking a pause can give us the chance to react more appropriately.

Here’s how a leader can slow the moment down:

  1. Notice: Pay attention to early signs that you’re getting defensive — physical tension, heat, or the urge to shut things down.
  2. Pause: Resist the instinct to respond immediately. Even a brief pause can change the outcome. For example: “That’s an important point. Let me think about it, and we’ll come back to it.”
  3. Breathe: Slow, deep breathing helps calm the nervous system and creates space to think more clearly.
  4. Choose: After pausing, choose a response that supports dialogue. For example, asking a clarifying question or acknowledging the concern shows curiosity rather than control.

Think Before You React

Under stress, our brains are quick to fill in gaps. We often jump to conclusions with limited information. This is a process known as automatic thinking.

  • Recognize automatic conclusions
    Thoughts like “They don’t respect me” or “I’m losing control of the situation” can show up instantly, even if they aren’t accurate.
  • Don’t buy into the story right away
    Think of your first reaction as a draft, not the final version. It may need revisiting once the initial emotions and thoughts settle.
  • Take another look
    Ask yourself: Is there any evidence that supports a different explanation?
    For example, the question may have been about clarity or safety — not a challenge to authority.

Leading With Awareness

Strong emotions are a natural part of leadership in the fast-paced, high-pressure world of arts and entertainment. Leaders who can pause, notice their emotions, and question their initial reactions are better able to maintain trust, foster open communication, and create a psychologically safe environment on set or backstage. When crews feel psychologically safe, they feel comfortable bringing up safety concerns throughout the workday. Slowing down, acknowledging feelings, and revisiting assumptions can make a real difference in how teams collaborate and in how safe crew members feel speaking up.

Resources