Exploring the relationship between personal and work characteristics of project managers and psychological safety in virtual teams

One of the organisational and employees' responses to the COVID-19 pandemic is a shift to virtual working models including the management of projects and project teams in virtual environments. However, little is known about the effect of personal and work characteristics on the psychological safety of project management professionals. This study explores the relationship between the personal and work characteristics of project managers on their psychological safety in virtual teams. Data for the study is collected from 104 project management professionals in the United Kingdom. SPSS is used to analyse and test a series of hypotheses. The study confirmed the significant relationship between the personal and work characteristics of the project managers and their psychological safety. The study provides an overview of the role of diversity, equality and inclusion on psychological safety among project managers; and proposes future research directions to understand and contribute to the psychological wellbeing of project managers working in virtual teams.