Psychological Safety Increases Workplace Success

Cathie Leimbach • November 28, 2023

Erica Keswin, a workplace strategist and coach, suggests that Workplace Performance = Psychological Safety + Purpose. When people feel safe at work and believe their work has purpose, they will be a stronger performer. And, appropriate rituals at work help employees feel safer.


A ritual is a sequence of activities involving gestures, words, and/or actions that mark a specific occasion. Rituals that make people more connected to the mission and people in their organization create a greater sense of belonging, increasing employees’ sense of being in a safe place and motivating them to meet and exceed workplace expectations.


Consider these ideas around rituals:

  1. In-person rituals help employees get to know each other, they help people want to develop valuable connections with each other rather than hiding behind technology.
  2. If we want the benefits of psychological safety, we need to be intentional about establishing and maintaining them. Rituals don’t come out of thin air.
  3. Rituals can include celebrating recurring events such as welcoming a new employee, acknowledging promotions, marking the end of a week or the completion of a project.
  4. Rituals can be accessible to everyone. They don’t have to cost money or be complicated or intimidating. They can be as simple as a Monday morning team coffee break.


What simple ritual could your company adopt to increase human connection and workplace pride? What is one step you can take towards starting this ritual?



Leadership Development: The Hidden Superpower for Your Business

By Cathie Leimbach • April 29, 2025
Ever wonder why some companies consistently outperform their competitors? According to Ram Charan's "Leaders at All Levels," the secret often lies in their approach to leadership development. Think about it: when organizations invest in developing leaders at every level, they're not just checking a box for HR—they're directly fueling their economic engine. Charan says that leadership talent is actually the biggest constraint on business growth worldwide. Too many companies treat leadership development as a nice-to-have program rather than a strategic necessity. But those who get it right create a continuous chain reaction of leadership excellence throughout their organization, resulting in measurable business advantages. The most successful companies don't just develop executives at the top. They identify potential leaders early, move them through increasingly challenging assignments, and ensure they gain the necessary skills to drive performance at every level. In today's competitive landscape, your leadership pipeline isn't just about succession planning—it's about creating the sustainable competitive advantage that drives superior business results and economic performance right now.

The Power of Reflective Listening at Work

By Cathie Leimbach • April 22, 2025
Have you ever felt like someone wasn't really hearing you? Reflective listening can fix that problem in the workplace. Reflective listening means truly understanding what someone is saying before you respond. When a coworker is speaking, focus completely on their words instead of planning what you'll say next. Many of us start forming responses while others are still talking, which means we miss important parts of their message. True listening requires patience and practice. To become a reflective listener, start by giving your full attention. Put away your phone, turn away from your computer, and make eye contact. Then, after the person finishes speaking, briefly summarize what you heard. You might say, "So what I'm hearing is..." This shows you were truly listening and gives them a chance to clarify if needed. The benefits of reflective listening are huge. It reduces misunderstandings, builds trust between coworkers, and helps solve problems more effectively. People feel valued when they're truly heard, which creates a more positive workplace. With practice, reflective listening becomes a habit that improves all your work relationships. Remember: listen first, respond second. Your workplace will be better for it.
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