Think your team's psychological safety is sorted because everyone gets along? Think again. In this episode, we dig into what psychological safety actually means and why "nice" teams often aren't high-performing ones. We explore the difference between surface-level harmony and true psychological safety, and share practical strategies for building a culture where people can admit mistakes, challenge ideas, and take interpersonal risks without fear.

Key points from this episode

• What psychological safety really means (and why it's not just about being nice to each other)
• The high support, high challenge framework and why both are essential for performance
• Warning signs that your team lacks psychological safety (even if everyone seems to get on)
• How to role model vulnerability and normalise mistakes as a leader
• Simple language reframes that make challenge feel safer

00:00 Introduction and Topic Overview

01:00 Defining Psychological Safety: Taking Interpersonal Risks

03:00 The Problem with "Nice" Teams and Surface-Level Harmony

05:00 Why Psychological Safety is the Foundation for High Performance

06:00 The Impact of Psychological Safety on Team Culture

08:00 The High Support, High Challenge Framework

10:00 Signs Your Team Has (or Lacks) Psychological Safety

12:00 Creating Space for Honest Conversations

15:00 Building Psychological Safety in Practice

18:00 Role Modelling: Admitting Mistakes as a Leader

19:00 Holding Learning Reviews and Reflective Practice

21:00 Structured Challenge: Using Devil's Advocate

22:00 Language Reframes: "I See That Differently" vs "I Disagree"

24:00 The Power of the Pause in Maintaining Psychological Safety

25:00 Wrap Up: High Support AND High Challenge

Useful Links

Connect with Pam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamelalangan/

Connect with Jacqui on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacqui-jagger/

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