Psychological Safety in Animal Care: Creating Cultures Where Speaking Up Is Possible

In animal care, we ask people to speak up for animals who cannot speak for themselves. But what happens when people don't feel safe enough to speak up at all?Psychological safety, a term coined by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, refers to a shared belief within a team that it is safe for interpersonal risk-taking. It means you can ask questions, admit mistakes, raise concerns, and offer ideas without fear of being punished, humiliated, or dismissed. But when psychological safety is missing, the resulting problems are detrimental to human and non-human animals alike. In this episode, Dr. Jamie McNally explores what psychological safety is (and isn't), why it matters in high-stakes animal care environments, and discusses both the individual and organizational-level responsibilities involved. Disclaimer:This program, including all podcast content and any related materials, is not a substitute for therapy, counseling, psychological services, or any form of medical or mental health treatment. While the host of this podcast is a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC), she is not operating in the capacity of a therapist within this program.Engaging with this program does not establish a therapist-client relationship. No diagnosis, treatment, or clinical intervention will be provided. The purpose of this program is for education and personal growth—not for mental health treatment.If you are experiencing significant emotional distress, symptoms of a mental health condition, or are in crisis, this program is not appropriate for your needs. You are encouraged to seek the support of a licensed mental health provider in your area.