The Leadership Revolution: A Conversation on Psychological Safety and Vulnerability at Work

In this episode of Culture Crush, host Dan Dowman sits down with Alice ter Haar, founder of Badass Unicorn, to talk about the powerful connection between personal growth and professional success. They dive deep into how vulnerability can transform leadership and company culture.

Alice opens up about her own experiences navigating parenthood and career changes, highlighting the crucial role psychological safety plays in the workplace. Together, they discuss practical steps leaders can take to create an environment where employees feel confident expressing themselves and learning from their mistakes.

Culture Crush

🧡 Publicis

➡️ This global media agency stands out for its commitment to learning and development, fostering a culture that encourages growth and innovation across their teams.

Key Takeaways

✅ Psychological safety is key for creating high-performing teams that embrace openness and learn from failures.

✅ Leaders who show their own vulnerabilities help build a culture of trust.

✅ The FIB framework (Frame, Inquiry, Bridge) offers leaders a simple yet effective way to cultivate psychological safety within their teams.

✅ ‘Bridging’ enhances team dynamics and supports open, honest communication.

✅ Small acts of vulnerability can have a big impact on culture, leading to a more engaged and motivated workforce.

Sound Bites

📢 “When you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”

📢 “The best day to plant a tree was 30 years ago. The next best day is today.”

📢 “Demonstrating personal fallibility creates an environment where people feel safe to share their ideas and concerns.”

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to Culture Crush

00:20 Meet Alice ter Haar

02:24 Championing Parenthood

09:15 The Birth of Badass Unicorn

14:29 Career Trials and Triumphs

15:53 Culture Crush: Publicis

19:19 The Importance of Culture

22:33 Leadership Challenges and Psychological Safety

30:31 The FIB Framework for Psychological Safety

38:02 Final Thought: Demonstrating Personal Fallibility

Links

🔗 Amy Edmondson, TEDx: https://social.anthem.ooo/Pwb7

🔗 Psychological Safety Summary Sheet: https://social.anthem.ooo/PwbD

🔗 F.I.B Pyramid: https://social.anthem.ooo/PwdT