Post tagged in "psychological safety at work"

Do you ever feel like the ground is shifting under your feet every time a new AI tool hits your newsfeed? I get it. I’ve spent years teaching people how to stay safe and keep their heads when things go sideways. But lately, the “sideways” event isn’t a physical accident, it’s a digital one. Most leaders I talk to in are quiet about it, but they’re terrified. They aren’t scared of the tech itself; they’re scared of looking like they’ve lost control. They’re scared their team will see the cracks in their confidence. If that’s you, I want you to... read more

Are you ready to stop treating technology like a shiny new toy and start using it as the engine that actually drives your business forward? I’ve spent the better part of two decades standing in boardrooms and on mine sites talking about people. Most folks think my job is just about safety vests and emotional intelligence. But lately, I’ve noticed a shift. I’m seeing leaders who are terrified that they’re falling behind. They see the accelerated organisation as some kind of ghost story. Something that happens to other people, but not them. I’m here to tell you that if you... read more

Have you ever felt that cold spike of adrenaline when a new piece of technology is dropped onto your desk and you realise you have no idea how it actually works? I’ve spent more than twenty years obsessed with safety. Not just the kind with hard hats and steel-toed boots, but the kind that happens inside your head. I know what it feels like when things go boom. My own near-fatal workplace incident taught me that fear is a terrible seatbelt. It doesn’t actually protect you; it just keeps you frozen in place while the world moves forward. Right now,... read more

Have you ever looked at a new piece of technology and felt that slight knot in your stomach, wondering if you’re about to be left behind or if your team is quietly panicking about their job security? I get it. I’ve spent twenty years obsessing over how to keep people safe. Usually, that means physical safety on a worksite or making sure no one gets hurt because of a dodgy process. But lately, the danger feels different. It’s digital. It’s fast. It’s AI. And if I’m being honest, managing ai transformation isn’t actually about the software at all. It’s about... read more

Have you ever felt like you’re running your team at a hundred miles an hour, only to realise you’re actually just burning the fuel faster without getting any further down the road? I’ve spent a lot of time thinking about this lately. In my own life, I learned the hard way that high pressure doesn’t always lead to high results. It just leads to a shattering crash. When I look at the current state of work, I see so many leaders grinding their people into the dirt because they think that’s what “performance” looks like. But it isn’t. Performance is... read more

Have you ever felt like your team is stuck in mud, despite everyone working their guts out? I’ve been there. I know that heavy, sinking feeling when the big goals feel miles away and the energy in the room is flat. It’s frustrating. You want that unstoppable momentum, but it feels like you’re trying to push a b-double uphill. Over the years, especially after my own brush with a life-changing workplace accident, I’ve realised that we often look at growth all wrong. We wait for the “big bang” moment. We wait for the massive win to save us. But honestly?... read more

Have you ever walked onto a worksite and felt a heavy silence, the kind where you just know people are holding back their best ideas or, worse, hiding their mistakes? Why do some teams thrive under pressure while others crumble the moment things get difficult? My own path started with a literal bang. I survived an industrial explosion that nearly ended my life, and that split-second event changed everything I thought I knew about safety. I realised that achieving zero harm isn’t about thicker gloves or better clipboards. It is about what is happening inside the minds of your people.... read more

Have you ever stopped to look at your team and wondered if they are mirroring your best traits or your most stressful habits? I’ve spent more than twenty years obsessed with one thing: how we, as leaders, show up when the pressure is on. It’s a personal mission for me because I almost didn’t make it home from work one day. It taught me that my actions don’t just affect a balance sheet. They affect the safety and spirits of the people I lead. When I talk to people on my podcast about what leaders can learn about influence, I’m... read more

Have you ever wondered what one conversation could do for your team? When I first started leading teams, I underestimated the power of honest dialogue. I thought that as long as tasks were done, everything was fine. But over time, I realised that without open communication, no team truly thrives. That’s why I always stress how to start an open conversation with your team. It’s not about filling an hour with talk. It’s about creating a space where people feel safe to speak up. When a team knows their thoughts and concerns are heard, engagement goes up, creativity flows, and... read more

Over the years and especially through conversations on the Find Your Influence Podcast. I’ve had the privilege of speaking with CEOs, founders, frontline leaders, and entrepreneurs. Different industries. Different personalities. Different challenges.But the same leadership truths keep showing up. These conversations have reinforced something powerful: Leadership isn’t about position. It’s about influence. Here are the biggest lessons I’ve learned from talking to great leaders and how you can apply them immediately. 1. Influence Is Alignment, Not Control One of the strongest patterns I’ve noticed? The best leaders don’t try to control everything. They focus on alignment. In my conversation with... read more