Why Everyone is Talking About Psychological Safety In The Workplace
My daughters and I recently volunteered as a Peer Mentor Family for Camp Kerry, a grief camp for young families who have experienced the loss of someone in their immediate family, like we have with my daughters Dad and my Husband, Jeff. It was a weekend filled with raw emotion, courage, and connection.
At Camp Kerry, families are navigating tremendous pain—and yet what struck me most wasn’t the loss itself, but the space that was created for healing. A space where people felt safe to cry, to laugh, to share their stories without fear of judgment or shame.
It reminded me of something profound: whether in a grief camp, a family, or a corporate boardroom, psychological safety is what allows people to show up fully as themselves. It’s what allows healing to happen, innovation to spark, and trust to grow.
And it’s no wonder leaders everywhere are talking about it. Psychological safety has become the backbone of high-performing teams—and without it, even the most talented groups will struggle to thrive. As an Executive Coach, I see this as a top trend for leadership development in 2025. It is an important topic, and I would like to share a few tips with you on developing psychological safety within your teams and as part of your leadership style.
3 Ways Leaders Can Foster Psychological Safety Right Now
Model Vulnerability at the Top
Admit when you don’t have all the answers. Share your learning moments. This shows your team that imperfection is part of growth, not a weakness.Create Space for All Voices
In meetings, intentionally invite quieter team members to share. Rotate who leads discussions. Innovation thrives when everyone feels heard.Respond with Curiosity, Not Judgment
When mistakes happen, ask “What can we learn?” instead of “Who’s to blame?” This shifts the culture from fear to growth.
Why It Matters More Than Ever
In today’s world of rapid change and hybrid work, psychological safety isn’t just a culture booster—it’s a business imperative.
Teams with high psychological safety:
Innovate faster
Retain top talent
Show greater resilience under pressure
Your Next Step as a Leader
Ask yourself:
Do my team members feel safe sharing ideas?
How do I respond when things go wrong?
What’s one small change I can make this week to create more trust?
The answers might surprise you—and open the door to better performance and deeper engagement.
Fast-Track Your Leadership Development to Create Greater Psychological Safety Within Your Organization…
As an Executive Coach, I help executives and leadership teams build cultures where people feel safe to contribute, innovate, and thrive. If you’re ready to transform your team’s performance through psychological safety, let’s talk. Email me to book your Free 20-minute Strategy Coaching Session.
