Two Sets of Rules: Why Nepotism and Cronyism Poison Culture
We talk endlessly about psychological safety in teams. We share research, frameworks, and strategies. We train leaders to "invite dissent," "embrace mistakes," and "encourage risk-taking." And yet, there’s an elephant in the room that rarely gets named: nepotism and cronyism. These are the silent killers of the very conditions psychological safety depends on…
From the Line to the Lead: How a Professional Kitchen Taught Me the Truth About Culture
We’ve all heard the phrase: "If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen."
It’s usually said as a badge of honour; a warning that high-performance environments are intense, demanding, and not for the faint-hearted.
But here’s what working in a professional kitchen taught me: Heat doesn’t create dysfunction.
It reveals it…
Trust and Psychological Safety: The 3 Values Every Leader Needs
Psychological safety has exploded in the leadership conversation. Google searches for the term have increased dramatically since 2016, with a sharp spike in recent years. Google's Project Aristotle brought it to the spotlight. Amy Edmondson's decades of research built the foundation. It's becoming an essential part of the conversation about high-performing teams, and for good reason. Teams with psychological safety perform better, innovate faster, and retain talent longer…