CBPM 2025 · Vol. 2025, Issue 1

Developing an Inclusive Leadership-Psychological Safety Relationship Framework to Foster Creative Performance in the Nigerian Built Environment

Tosin Emmanuel Oladele, Modupe Cecilia Mewomo, and Jacob Ikotun

Keywords: Construction, Creativity, Inclusive Leadership, Nigeria, Psychological Safety.

Abstract

Construction employees over the years have been exposed to risky, complex and uncertain workplace environment due to the multitasking nature of construction works. Thus, innovative ideas are needed in a leader-member relationship on construction projects, in order to improve productivity. However, managers are often faced with challenges of developing high level of inclusiveness and how to incorporate members’ creative ideas, which could eventually jeopardize psychological safety, with consequent low productivity at workplace. In light of this, this paper attempts to develop an inclusive leadership-psychological safety relationship framework to enhance creative behavior in the built environment. Using a conceptual approach, the study reviewed literature on inclusive leadership, psychological safety, and the attributes of inclusive leadership-psychological safety relationship in promoting employee creative behavior. By reviewing 39 articles and citing 18 secondary sources, the key features/elements of inclusive leadership and psychological safety relationship were extracted to developed the framework. The study established that key elements of inclusive leadership-psychological safety such as inclusion, openness, commitment to diversity, awareness to bias, learning culture, supportive feedback, trust and respect among others are essential in achieving belongingness, and supportive climate in the construction workplace. This framework provides direction in fostering creative behavior within construction workforce, thereby improving organizational productivity.