Lived Experiences of Psychological Safety: A Phenomenological Study of Interdisciplinary Work Team for Sports Programs at a NCAA Division I University

The purpose of this phenomenological qualitative research study was to describe the shared and lived experiences of psychological safety for interdisciplinary work teams of different sport programs within an athletic department at a NCAA Division I university. The aim of this study was to gain a deeper understanding regarding the nature of psychological safety as a complex phenomenon in a different and unexplored organizational context and to identify factors of leadership that may have contributed to it. Focus group interviews were conducted with 16 participants across three interdisciplinary work teams for different sports programs within an athletic department of an NCAA Division I university. Data for each focus group interview was analyzed utilizing a three-cycle approach that included initial coding, focused coding, and theoretical coding. Overall, five major themes emerged, including: (1) The Concept of Leadership is Complex and Difficult to Define in Interdisciplinary Work Teams, (2) Shared Feelings and Experiences of Psychological Safety, (3) Individual Feelings and Experiences of Psychological Safety, (4) Norms – Unspoken and Implicit Rules, and (5) Practices – Written and Explicit Rules. Case studies were assembled based on examples from the findings of this study. Four recommendations, supported by extant research, were provided on strategies to facilitate experiences of psychological safety. Recommendations are intended for athletic directors and aspiring leaders who want to create psychological safety within the workplace. Implications for consideration were provided regarding psychological safety, the role of leadership, and future research. Keywords: Psychological Safety, Leadership, Interdisciplinary Work Teams, NCAA Collegiate Sports Programs, Phenomenological Research Study

Grantor dc:publisher

Creighton University

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Abroms, Daniel

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Bloomquist, Candace D.

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright is retained by the Author. A non-exclusive distribution right is granted to Creighton University and to ProQuest following the publishing model selected above.

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/10504/133616

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:cdr.creighton.edu:10504/133616