We often hear the term cultural safety, but what exactly does it mean? How does it differ from psychological safety? How should cultural safety be applied in the workplace? Why should leaders unfamiliar with the term become familiar with it today?
These are just some of the many burning questions shaping today’s discussions around cultural safety. To ensure a culturally safe future, it is important to explore and answer these questions clearly.
Defining Cultural Safety
So, what is cultural safety? To understand it fully, we first need to define psychological safety in order to clarify the differences.
As defined by clinical psychologist Gabrielle Kleygrewe in our December 10 workshop, psychological safety is:
“A team and workplace culture that is inclusive, responds productively to risks and mistakes, and is supportive of speaking up and expressing concerns.”
While cultural safety also emphasizes inclusivity and support for individual voices, its focus is slightly different.
Cultural Safety vs. Psychological Safety
Cultural safety goes beyond surface-level inclusion. It is not just about setting and meeting DEI quotas or hiring people to perform inclusivity.
Cultural safety is about recognizing stigmas, setting them aside, and ensuring that everyone is seen, heard, and valued. It is about preventing differences in cultural identity from interfering with relationships. It is about flexibility, trust-building, and meaningful connection.
Cultural safety also involves taking action. This includes understanding sociocultural factors and developing multilevel strategies such as community forums and health equity initiatives. These actions signal a genuine intention to connect on a deeper level and reassure individuals that their cultural values will always be respected.
Why Cultural Safety Matters
It is this sense of being valued, regardless of background or identity, that makes a workplace or any environment culturally safe.
In a world that is increasingly diverse and multicultural, understanding and practicing cultural safety is essential. Knowing how to define cultural safety allows individuals and organizations to apply it intentionally in everyday interactions. After all, we are all humans with voices, and cultural safety ensures those voices are respected.
