Helen Joy and I talk about how innovation and psychological safety are intrinsically linked. Helen highlights that a lack of psychological safety in the workplace stifles innovation by preventing people from expressing their ideas out of fear of judgment or humiliation. We chat through practical steps for fostering psychological safety at the individual, team, and organisational levels to create a conducive environment for innovation. Furthermore, we explore the challenges of maintaining such an environment across different parts of an organisation and the critical role of trust in building psychological safety. By addressing these challenges, organisations can unlock the full potential of their teams, enhance retention, and drive innovation.

Helen Joy is on a mission to change workplaces for the better by supporting that critical middle management level to develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to lead. She has more than 20 years experience in management training and her passion is in Leadership and Management Development, particularly for new and aspiring managers. Through People Sparks' bespoke, interactive programmes, Helen coaches businesses to create and motivate great managers, develop skills and confidence, and build environments that drive success.