What does it take to create workplaces where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and innovate without fear of failure? Well, the answer can be summed up in two words: psychological safety. 

Psychological safety is not just a trend or a culture that is “easy” on employees. It's a business philosophy that seeks to empower teams and boost performance. 

So in this episode of In Good Companies, we’re diving into the increased attention being paid to psychological safety in the workplace — what it is, why it matters and how to build it into your organization’s DNA. To open this important conversation, we’re bringing in a mental health advocate with 30 years experience in the field: Kathy Pike, CEO of the non-profit One Mind at Work.

With a career spanning academia and the private sector, Kathy brings a global perspective to the challenges and opportunities of workplace well-being. Together with our host Ari Marin, they break down why psychological safety should be treated as a strategic business priority, and explore practical ways to embed it into leadership and operations. They also discuss the benefits of psychological safety for attracting talent, improving team performance, and shaping the future of work.

Make room for humanity and tune in to unlock the full potential of corporate well-being for your business. 

Highlights:

• What Psychological Safety really means (1:09 )
• Why we’re talking more about mental health in the workplace (3:36 )
• “Mental health and well being is a strategic imperative for the future of work” (5:59 )
• Psychological Safety to improve your leadership and performance (8:11 )
• The Mental Health at Work Index (10:11 )
• Proving the benefits of Psychological Safety (12:16 )
• Examples of company initiatives that promote Psychological Safety (14:36 )
• Questions leaders should ask to assess Psychological Safety (17:32 )
• “Being kind means being prepared to have difficult conversations” (19:57 )
• Diversity as a contributor to Psychological Safety (21:48 )
• Mental health support: the challenge of remote work (23:44 )
• How workplaces are evolving and what it means for social connection (26:51 )

Links:

• Cadence Bank Website
• Cadence Bank X (Twitter)
• Cadence Bank LinkedIn
• Cadence Bank YouTube
• Kathy Pike Website
• Kathy Pike LinkedIn
• One Mind at Work Website
• One Mind at Work YouTube
• The Mental Health at Work Index
• Article - One Mind's Mental Health at Work Index
• Article - The Hybrid Work Model and Loneliness in the Workplace
• Book - The Return of Kindness, by Bonnie Hayden Cheng 

Feedback:

If you have questions about the show or topics you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producers, Eydie.Pengelly@cadencebank.com or Danielle.Kernell@cadencebank.com.