Practices for Psychological Safety
Practices for Psychological Safety
Helen Sanderson
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.
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.-------Visit helensandersonassociates.co.uk for information on the initiatives discussed in this episode.
Jun 29
34 min
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-------Visit helensandersonassociates.co.uk for information on the initiatives discussed in this episode.
Jun 8
50 min
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.-------Visit helensandersonassociates.co.uk for information on the initiatives discussed in this episode.
May 13
28 min
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.-------Visit helensandersonassociates.co.uk for information on the initiatives discussed in this episode.
May 6
17 min
Nic Marks talks about happiness and psychological safety
I highly recommend Nic's new book - Happiness is a Serious Business
Dec 8, 2025
36 min
Putting Team Agreements into Practice
In this podcast I explain the six main ways to ensure that your team agreements make a difference.
Jul 21, 2025
13 min
A different approach to one-to-ones with Lu Dash
We have been doing action research with a range of leaders across health and social care to explore a different approach to one-to-ones. This has involved using Confirmation Practices around the person's roles, and around building psychological safety within the team. In this episode Lu Dash, Deputy CEO, describes her experience of being part of this research.
Jul 17, 2025
18 min
What happens to Team Agreements when new team members join? Michelle Livesley explains.
What do you do when new team members join an established team? Do you start Team Agreements from scratch again, or expect them to accept the Team Agreements as they are?Michelle explains how she approached this in a service in Camden.She also introduced the principles of Team Agreements with the people who live in the Extra Care Scheme.Michelle Livesley is my friend and colleague, and you can find us both at helensandersonassociates.com.To talk more about Team Agreements please connect with me on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ and there is more information on what we do at helensandersonassociates.com.
Jul 10, 2025
29 min
Using Team Agreements in Recruitment with Sam Jones
What difference could it make if Team Agreements were part of the recruitment, induction and probation process?This is what Sam is experimenting with. Sam Jones is an Associate Director,Locality Impact in North East and Yorkshire at the Stroke Association.To talk more about using Team Agreements in recruitment and practices for psychological safety please connect with me on Linked In https://www.linkedin.com/in/helensandersonhsa/ and there is more information on what we do at helensandersonassociates.com.
Jul 3, 2025
12 min
A different approach to one-to-ones with Speech and Language Therapists
We have been doing action research with a range of leaders across health and social care to explore a different approach to one-to-ones. This has involved using Confirmation Practices around the person's roles, and around building psychological safety within the team. In this episode two Speech and Language Therapists from Communicate SLT CIC Caroline Coyne, the CEO and Founder, and .Rhian Owen describes their experience of being part of this research.
Jul 1, 2025
25 min
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