Quiz – Build Psychological Safety

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

A team has stopped sharing bold ideas during retros. People nod politely, but energy is low. The manager keeps praising their politeness. What might be undermining psychological safety?

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

Which of the following best illustrates “modeling vulnerability” as a tactic to build psychological safety?

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

You’re leading a brainstorming session. One team member offers a flawed idea. You thank them and ask others what they see in it that might be worth exploring. What are you doing?

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

A team lead notices that in stand-ups, only the extroverted voices dominate. What tactic could help build psychological safety?

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

Which of the following is a sign that a team is in the “anxiety zone” (low psychological safety, high drive)?

Learning & Understanding questions help you test your grasp of key APM concepts. They often require careful thinking, not just recalling facts. Some questions describe real situations so you can apply what you have learned.

You notice that a team retro becomes awkward whenever feedback is invited. People glance around and wait. What small action could a facilitator try?

Assess & Act questions ask you to evaluate a situation and think about what you would do. There is no single right answer. The goal is to recognize patterns and consider practical action.

Which of the following do you observe in your current team context?

☑ Mistakes are openly discussed without finger-pointing
☑ Dissenting views are welcomed and explored
☑ Team members rarely ask questions or challenge assumptions
☑ Leaders admit what they don’t know or model fallibility

Based on these observations, what is one thing you could try to reinforce or shift this week?

Reflection questions invite you to connect the topic to your own work experience. There are no wrong answers. It is a moment to pause, think critically, and gain personal insight.

Think of a time when you hesitated to speak up in a group. What made it feel unsafe? What would have helped you feel more comfortable taking the risk?
Reflect on the behaviors or norms that influence psychological safety in your own context.

Challenge & Debate open-ended questions are meant to stretch your thinking. You are invited to take a stance, weigh the pros and cons, and consider different viewpoints. Again, there are no wrong answers, only thoughtful ones.

“Psychological safety is important, but too much of it leads to complacency.” Do you agree or disagree? Why?