Der Einfluss von Führungskräften auf das Empfinden psychologischer Sicherheit von Teams in deutschen Industrieunternehmen

The world of work is evolving due to globalization, digitalization and the shift to a knowledge society. These changes present new challenges for companies and employees, emphasizing the need for a work environment that cultivates psychological safety. Which is necessary for supporting continuous learning, innovation and growth, as it enables employees to share knowledge, express concerns and ask questions without fear of negative consequences. Studies indicate that most German employees do not view their workplaces as psychologically safe. Furthermore, Germany is losing its attractiveness and competitiveness as an industrial location. This study explores how psychological safety is perceived in teams at German industrial companies and examines the impact of managers on this perception. Qualitative interviews with ten experts reveal that psychological safety within teams tends to decrease in six teams, when the manager is perceived as part of the team. This is problematic because leaders are one of the main influencing factors. Topics such as appreciation and personal development were frequently mentioned by respondents as areas with potential for improvement. Additionally, it became clear that, out of fear, employees tend to remain silent rather than openly address problems and difficult issues. The findings help to narrow the research gap in psychological safety. Future research could explore individual personality differences and compare psychological safety perceptions across different generations of employees. It is also recommended to develop more German or European research approaches on psychological safety.