Some people misunderstand psychological safety as a way of “coddling” or “weakening” employees, often because they confuse it with being overly permissive or avoiding accountability. This assumption often has a generational aspect, with younger employees who value psychological safety being perceived as “soft” or overly sensitive to the events of regular life. But psychological safety actually strengthens teams. It replaces silence and fear with clarity, courage, and accountability. It’s not the opposite of toughness—it’s the foundation of sustainable high performance.