Building and Maintaining Psychological Safety and Trust in Virtual Teams

Abstract: The recent virus COVID-19 has forced companies around the world to change the way they work. Teams who usually work together in the same physical space are now experiencing working virtually from home. Previous studies demonstrate the importance of psychological safety and trust in the aim of building high-performing and effective teams. A virtual setting implies new challenges and opportunities for managers. Hence, the researchers have tried to give an answer to the question: How can managers build and maintain psychological safety and trust in a team when going virtual? The study was conducted using a qualitative method and semi-structured interviews. Eight managers and one psychologist currently working virtually due to COVID-19 participated in the research. The results from the interviews indicate that building and maintaining psychological safety and trust become even more important in a virtual setting. Based on this, they should be considered as top priorities for managers. Tools suggested by the participants for building and maintaining psychological safety and trust are presented in the study.