Discussion: View Thread

Hi,
I'm new to this list-serv. I wanted to give a brief
introduction and then ask a question. I am a researcher
interested in finding information about the importance of
conducting and delivering interpersonal skills training
(e.g. bad news, leadership skills, cross-cultural
communication, negotiation skills) with "psychological
safety" (e.g. an interpersonally safe, comfortable
environment/climate for training). I'm looking for
resources that advocate for psychological safety in
training situations, specific behaviors that trainers
engage in to create such a safe environment, and any
research that has demonstrated its importance. If you know
of any good papers or other resources (perhaps handbooks
or manuals) please let me know.
Thanks,
Sarah Johnson
Harvard Business School
Baker Library B20E
617-496-5726
sjohnson@hbs.edu

Sarah,
You might want to check into DDI training. DDI is essentially a
publishing house that provides training materials related to developing
interpersonal skills. In order to use their products you must go
through a training module. The training module emphasizes 5 "Key
Principles": maintain/enhance self-esteem, listen/respond with empathy,
ask for help/encourage involvement, build trust by sharing
thoughts/feelings, provide support without removing responsibility.

I am the director for a leadership development program here at my
university and we offer our students training in interpersonal skills.
We use some of DDI's materials and so all instructors who teach the
interpersonal skills courses must be certified by DDI first. I went
through the training myself last summer and was impressed with the
emphasis that was placed on being sure to maintain what I think you mean
by "psychological safety" in the training, especially in giving feedback
about a trainee's skill level. All of us thought our general classroom
teaching was improved as a result of the DDI training.

Let me know if this is helpful.

Carol Watson, Ph.D.
Director, Center for the Development of Leadership Skills
Rider University
Lawrenceville, NJ 08648



Sarah Johnson wrote:

> Hi,
> I'm new to this list-serv. I wanted to give a brief introduction and
> then ask a question. I am a researcher interested in finding
> information about the importance of conducting and delivering
> interpersonal skills training (e.g. bad news, leadership skills,
> cross-cultural communication, negotiation skills) with "psychological
> safety" (e.g. an interpersonally safe, comfortable environment/climate
> for training). I'm looking for resources that advocate for
> psychological safety in training situations, specific behaviors that
> trainers engage in to create such a safe environment, and any research
> that has demonstrated its importance. If you know of any good papers
> or other resources (perhaps handbooks or manuals) please let me know.
> Thanks,
> Sarah Johnson
> Harvard Business School
> Baker Library B20E
> 617-496-5726
> sjohnson@hbs.edu
>

Sarah,

I wrote a brief article entitled, "Employee Feedback: A Window of
Opportunity," in 1989 that discussed the conditions under which the use
of 360 feedback would be successful. In my research on the effectiveness
of 360 feedback the guidelines in that article have been followed. I
would be happy to send you (and any other members of the list) that
article and the research that I have done on the effectiveness of 360
feedback if you would send me your postal address.

Frank


Frank Shipper, Ph.D.
Professor of Management
Perdue School of Business
Salisbury University
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: (410) 543-6333
FAX: (410) 546-6208
E-mail: fmshipper@salisbury.edu
Home Page: http://faculty.salisbury.edu/~fmshipper/home/

>>> sjohnson@HBS.EDU 02/15/06 11:40 AM >>>
Hi,
I'm new to this list-serv. I wanted to give a brief
introduction and then ask a question. I am a researcher
interested in finding information about the importance of
conducting and delivering interpersonal skills training
(e.g. bad news, leadership skills, cross-cultural
communication, negotiation skills) with "psychological
safety" (e.g. an interpersonally safe, comfortable
environment/climate for training). I'm looking for
resources that advocate for psychological safety in
training situations, specific behaviors that trainers
engage in to create such a safe environment, and any
research that has demonstrated its importance. If you know
of any good papers or other resources (perhaps handbooks
or manuals) please let me know.
Thanks,
Sarah Johnson
Harvard Business School
Baker Library B20E
617-496-5726
sjohnson@hbs.edu