154 | Why Leaders Still Struggle to Foster Psychological Safety | Scott McInnes with Minette Norman & Karolin Helbig

In this week's episode, Scott is joined by authors Minette Norman and Karolin Helbig as they delve into practical strategies for fostering trust, vulnerability, and inclusion in organisations, and explore the nuances of psychological safety. This episode reveals how small changes can lead to profound shifts in workplace culture. In this episode, you'll discover: ·       The definition and emotional experience of psychological safety ·       The importance of vulnerability and courageous communication for leaders ·       How default behaviours and default settings impact team inclusivity ·       The role of self-awareness in changing organisational culture ·       Micro habits and deliberate experimentation to embed safety practices ·       Managing reactions and emotional responses in high-stakes interactions ·       The connection between risk-taking, failure, and innovation ·       Designing inclusive rituals and meetings to foster belonging ·       Practical tips for leaders to create psychologically safe teams today Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction to psychological safety and why it matters 02:26 - Defining psychological safety and its emotional impact 03:01 - The visceral feelings of safety versus threat 10:00 - Turning awareness into default behaviors to reduce exhaustion 13:02 - The role of self-awareness in behavior change 17:15 - The responsibility of senior leaders in setting cultural tone 22:08 - Balancing expertise with vulnerability for authentic leadership 26:36 - Creating space for understanding and curiosity in conversations 32:16 - Embracing risk and failure as catalysts for growth 37:39 - Designing meetings intentionally to foster participation and belonging 40:00 - Closing thoughts and resources Resources & Links: ·       Psychological Safety Playbook   Connect with us: LinkedIn  |  YouTube  |  Instagram     Connect with Minette & Karolin: Karolin Helbig on LinkedIn |  Minette Norman on LinkedIn