Inclusion safety satisfies the basic need for connection, relatedness, and belonging. Whether at work, school, home, or in social situations everyone wants to be accepted.

Contributor Safety satisfies the basic human need of autonomy: to contribute and make a difference based on our own knowledge, skills, experience and perspectives. The more we contribute, the more confidence and competence we develop. When we create contributor safety for others, we empower them with autonomy, guidance, and encouragement in exchanges for effort and results. Contributor safety leads to creativity and discretionary effort.

Learner Safety satisfies the basic human need of mastery: to learn and grow. It allows us to feel safe to engage in all aspects of the learning process – asking questions, giving and receiving feedback, experimenting, and even making mistakes, not if but when we make them.

Challenger Safety satisfies the basic human need for purpose – to make thigs better. It’s the support and confidence we need to ask questions such as, “Why do we do it this way?” “What if we tried this?” or “May I suggest what I see may be a better, more effective way?” It allows us to feel safe to question the status quo without retaliation or the risk of damaging our personal standing or reputation. As the highest level of psychological safety, it matches the increased vulnerability and personal risk associated with challenging the status quo. When we create challenger safety, we give air cover in exchange for candor. Challenger safety opens the channels for innovation.