Practices for Psychological Safety

Helen Sanderson
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  • Management

Happy, healthy, high performing teams - how do you create them? Research suggests it takes psychological safety, social connection and autonomy. You are likely to spend more time with your team than your family, so this really matters. This podcast is to share practices that helps teams be real with each other, connect, feel safe to be themselves and do great work. I'm Helen Sanderson and my first podcast series was called A Cup of Teal. It explored self-management practices and shared our learning from Wellbeing Teams. Wellbeing Teams were self-managed teams, inspired by Buurtzorg, supporting people to live well at home and be part of their community. We were 'Outstanding' by CQC, and delivered support to people in teams across the UK for four years. Most of the practices we talk about in this podcast formed part of how Wellbeing Teams worked. However, this podcast is not about self-management. I believe that all teams can grow in psychological safety, deepen connections and more towards greater autonomy. This podcast is for any team leader who wants to learn about the practices that can help, learning from my colleagues, mentors and me.

  1. 2d ago

    Building Psychological Safety as a Team Sport with Jade Garrett & Tom Geraghty

    Psychological safety isn't just a leadership responsibility—it’s a team sport. Co-founders of psychsafety.com, Jade Garrett and Tom Geraghty explore how teams can practically dismantle power barriers and foster everyday trust. Rather than relying on top-down "leaderism" or oversimplified staged models, Jade and Tom break down what it actually takes to make speaking up meaningful, address steep organizational power gradients, and adopt high-impact team practices. ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

  2. Sep 3

    Creating an Inclusive and Thriving Workplace Culture in a GP surgery with Ben Allen

    How do you turn around a struggling healthcare workplace with high turnover, low morale, and patient satisfaction below the national average - without an extra budget or more hours in the day? Dr. Ben Allen shares his remarkable journey of transforming Birley Health Centre into one of the UK's top-performing surgeries. Rather than chasing downstream symptoms, Ben took a step back to "invest in the social determinants of team health". Ben explains the specific, low-cost practices he introduced to foster psychological safety, completely shift meeting culture, and build a workplace where staff genuinely thrive and feel appreciated. Ben is a GP at Birley Health Centre in Sheffield and Medical Director for Physical Health and Neurodiversity at Rotherham Doncaster & South Humber Foundation Trust. Books & Studies Recommended by Ben: The Five Dysfunctions of a Team & trust-building frameworks by Patrick LencioniGood to Great and Built to Last by Jim CollinsWorks by Brené Brown, Nancy Kline, and Simon SinekGoogle’s Aristotle Study on high-performing teamsThe 5 Languages of Appreciation in the Workplace by Gary Chapman & Paul WhiteLiberating Structures facilitation tools ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

    Creating an Inclusive and Thriving Workplace Culture in a GP surgery with Ben Allen

  3. Jul 24

    The Power of Listening and Adult Conversations with Karin Tenelius

    How do you address uncomfortable topics that hinder team progress? Karin Tenelius from Tuff Leadership Training joins Helen to argue that traditional management often fails because leaders prioritise broadcasting over genuine listening, a skill she defines as a state of being rather than a mere activity. ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

    The Power of Listening and Adult Conversations with Karin Tenelius

  4. Jun 29

    The Link Between Stress, Safety, and Performance with Dr Jessica Cooper

    How does the nervous system influence team dynamics and psychological safety in the workplace? Helen chats to Dr. Jessica Cooper to explore practical ways to foster safety, resilience, and genuine connection within teams. ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

    The Link Between Stress, Safety, and Performance with Dr Jessica Cooper

  5. Jun 8

    What Really Strengthens Work Relationships with Colin Fisher

    Organisational behaviour and innovation expert, Colin Fisher shares groundbreaking ideas on team dynamics, leadership, psychological safety, and how to foster effective collaboration. Discover how informal leadership, clarity of goals, social sensitivity, and reflective practices can transform team performance and organisational culture. Learn more about Colin and his work here https://colinmfisher.com ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

    What Really Strengthens Work Relationships with Colin Fisher

  6. May 13

    Psychological Safety as a Feeling with Dr Amanda Potter

    Dr Amanda Potter, CEO of B Talent chats to me about the psychometric tests that they've been developing and validating with 10 different scales based on how people are feeling about their work. ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

  7. May 6

    Embedding Practices for Psychological Safety with Rachael Dodgson

    Dimensions have a long history of embedding some of the practices that we talk about in psychological safety. Rachael Dodgson, CEO of Dimensions joins me to talk about what it's like to scale some of the practices that we talk about as being important for psychological safety. ------- Helen's new book Practices for Psychological Safety is available to pre-order (published October 2026)- https://www.koganpage.com/hr-learning-development/psychological-safety-in-practice-9781398629400 If you are interested in our Tensions Cards to create Team or Meeting Agreements https://www.hsalearningcards.org/ Connect with Helen: Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ One-Page Profile https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/meet-the-team/helen-sanderson/ Website https://www.helensandersonassociates.com/

  8. 12/08/2025

    Nic Marks talks about happiness and psychological safety

    I highly recommend Nic's new book - Happiness is a Serious Business

    Nic Marks talks about happiness and psychological safety
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Happy, healthy, high performing teams - how do you create them? Research suggests it takes psychological safety, social connection and autonomy. You are likely to spend more time with your team than your family, so this really matters. This podcast is to share practices that helps teams be real with each other, connect, feel safe to be themselves and do great work. I'm Helen Sanderson and my first podcast series was called A Cup of Teal. It explored self-management practices and shared our learning from Wellbeing Teams. Wellbeing Teams were self-managed teams, inspired by Buurtzorg, supporting people to live well at home and be part of their community. We were 'Outstanding' by CQC, and delivered support to people in teams across the UK for four years. Most of the practices we talk about in this podcast formed part of how Wellbeing Teams worked. However, this podcast is not about self-management. I believe that all teams can grow in psychological safety, deepen connections and more towards greater autonomy. This podcast is for any team leader who wants to learn about the practices that can help, learning from my colleagues, mentors and me.

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