Creating Culture that Works: Psychological Safety

Host Leslie Szymborski and guest Cesar Flores, CEO of Coach What Matters, discuss the concept of psychological safety and its vital role in business success, innovation, and high-performing organizations. The episode begins by defining psychological safety, a term pioneered by Harvard professor Amy Edmondson, as a shared belief among team members that the team environment is safe for taking interpersonal risks. It's a climate of mutual trust and respect where individuals feel comfortable being themselves, continuously learning, and openly discussing mistakes.

Key Takeaways:

• The Current State of Psychological Safety: A Gallup poll revealed that only 28% of US employees in 2025 strongly agreed their opinions count at work, a slight decrease from 20174. This highlights the ongoing struggle leaders f ...