Signal Time pressure (47%) is the leading obstacle to psychological safety

Summary

McKinsey's 2026 survey asks leaders what gets in the way of creating a psychologically safe work environment for their teams. Time pressure is the most frequently cited challenge at 47 percent. Fear of failure or judgment follows at 42 percent, with hierarchical organizational culture and unclear expectations each at 38 percent. Leaders who are more reflective emphasized all of these challenges more strongly than their less reflective peers. The report argues that teams are where the most meaningful work happens, so they need a safe space in which members support one another, hold each other accountable, and experiment, especially with AI.