In this episode of The Leader in You, Polina and Dr. Lola Gershfeld welcome leadership consultant and author Aoife O’Brien to explore a powerful question facing many leaders today:

Is psychological safety enough — or do teams need something deeper to truly thrive?

Drawing from her book Thriving Talent, Aoife shares her insights from working with organizations struggling with burnout, disengagement, and misaligned workplace cultures. She explains why many leadership initiatives fail to create lasting change and how psychological safety plays a foundational role in building healthier teams.

Together, we explore the difference between psychological safety and emotional safety, how leaders unintentionally erode trust in everyday interactions, and what it takes to create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and bring their full capabilities to their work.

In this conversation, you’ll learn:

• Why many workplaces struggle to retain and engage talent
• The hidden signs of low psychological safety in teams
• The leadership blind spots that quietly damage culture
• How leaders can create environments where people feel safe and challenged

If you’re a leader who wants to build stronger relationships, healthier team dynamics, and a workplace where people can truly thrive, this episode will give you powerful insights and practical inspiration.

Connect with Aoife O'Brien on LinkedIn

The Leader in You is the go-to podcast for anyone who wants to create a workplace culture where you can thrive.

Envision a future where you are more grounded, confident, and in sync with your team.

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Connect with Dr. Lola Gershfeld:

LinkedIn: Dr. Lola Gershfeld
Instagram: @drlolaemc

Connect with Polina Marian:

LinkedIn: Polina Marian
Instagram: @livewithfivekids

Dr. Lola Gershfeld, a distinguished organizational psychologist, has dedicated her career to delving into the intricate layers of employee engagement, team ...