Could your best employees be afraid to speak up?

Have you ever had that brilliant idea in a meeting, but kept it to yourself because you were afraid of being judged?

Or maybe you've witnessed a colleague's mistake but didn't speak up out of fear of conflict? We've all been there, and let me tell you, it's not just you –it's a sign of a deeper issue in our workplace culture.

Today, let's talk about something that's close to my heart: psychological safety at work. It's not just another buzzword. It's the secret sauce that can transform our teams from good to extraordinary.

And creating a psychologically safe workplace isn't just the boss's job. Of course, leaders play a crucial role (more on that in a bit), but each one of us has the power to contribute to an environment where everyone feels safe to be themselves, voice their ideas, and yes, even make mistakes.

So, how can we all pitch in? It starts with small actions:

1. Celebrate diverse perspectives in team discussions
2. Respond to others' ideas with curiosity rather than criticism
3. Own up to your mistakes and share what you've learned

Now, let's talk about our leaders. They set the tone. A leader who admits their own vulnerabilities, actively listens, and encourages open dialogue can work wonders for team dynamics. But here's the thing – great leadership doesn't just happen. It's a skill that can be developed and honed.

That's where Engage Leadership come in. Our services are designed to equip leaders with the tools they need to foster psychological safety and unleash their team's full potential. From one-on-one coaching to team workshops, they've got a toolkit that can transform your workplace culture.

Remember, building a fearless organisation is a journey, not a destination. But with each step we take – whether we're team members or leaders – we're creating a work environment where innovation thrives, collaboration flourishes, and everyone feels valued.

?? Learn more about Engage Leadership

New course at TCM Academy

This newsletter is the perfect time to announce our newest, CIPD-accredited course through TCM Academy on Bullying, Harassment, and Diversity.

This?isn't your typical workplace training – it's a fully interactive program designed to tackle the real challenges you face every day. Our expert trainers simulate subtle, true-to-life scenarios that mirror the complex situations you and your team encounter. By engaging with these realistic simulations, you'll develop the skills to recognise, address, and prevent bullying and harassment, while fostering a diverse and inclusive environment.

Don't just talk about psychological safety –experience it, practice it, and make it a reality in your organisation.

??Learn more about the course

Congrats to our Customer of the Week!

We are thrilled to share Womankind Worldwide as our Customer of the Week!

From our initial calls about upskilling managers to collaborating on our approach to intersectional feminism and decolonisation – these are all examples of a wonderful trusted partnership and it’s always rewarding to work with customers who are so dedicated to their internal training programmes and conflict resolution approaches.?

Join me in congratulating them on their incredible work!

My forthcoming book & a callout to you

I'm extremely excited to announce my third book is now in the works and available for pre-order from Kogan Page Publishing . Written for HR professionals and leaders, in this book I'll show you?how to adopt a people and culture approach in your organisation.

I'll introduce my innovative People and Culture operating model, explain how to align your EVP (Employee Value Proposition) to your company culture, and provide practitioners with the tools you need to create a purpose-driven, values-based and people-centric approach to your company culture and HR strategy.

Have you made the transition to People & Culture?

I'm in full on writing mode right now and I am seeking additional case studies from leaders and people professionals who have made the transition from HR to people & culture. I would love to include your story. I will make it a painless process for you to contribute, plus I'll give you a free copy of the book, once its published!

Please contact me at [email protected] . Or, please join me at my virtual People&Culture roundtableon the 18th October. Sign up here.

Let's meet!

This autumn you can also find me at:

• UK Mediation Conference - 25th Nov (keynote)
• ACAS Digital Resolving Workplace Disputes Conference - 20th Nov
• The Inclusive Workplace Conference -?20th Nov

If you'd like to book me as a speaker for your organisation or event, please reach out !

Webinars: Discover our services

In our upcoming webinars, you can learn about two of our services dedicated to upskilling you as both employees and managers.

OCT 9: Engage Coaching Eye-Opener

Our team will showcase how our proven coaching services and training can empower employees, strengthen middle management, and foster a thriving culture of growth.

??Book your free spot here

OCT 16: Engage Leadership Eye-Opener

Learn what it means to be an effective leader and how can we help you tailor the training we offer to your specific needs.

??Book your free spot here

The TCM Reading Corner

In this book, Amy Edmondson explores the concept of psychological safety (she coined the term!) in the workplace and its crucial role in fostering innovation, learning, and growth. She argues that organisations need employees who feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and take risks without fear of negative consequences. She presents compelling evidence that teams and companies with high psychological safety outperform those without it.

The book provides practical strategies for leaders to create and maintain psychological safety within their teams and organisations. Edmondson outlines three key leadership behaviours: framing work as a learning problem (not an execution problem), acknowledging their own fallibility, and modelling curiosity by asking a lot of questions. She also addresses common obstacles to psychological safety and offers actionable steps to overcome them.?

You can get the book here .

That's it for now. If you have any questions or queries relating to any of the content above, please feel free to contact me.

Have a great Friday!

David