Ep 14 | The Cost of Not Feeling Safe at Work

Psychological safety isn’t a buzzword — it’s the foundation of trust, connection, and sustainable leadership.

When people don’t feel safe at work, the cost shows up quietly: in silence during meetings, in chronic stress, in second-guessing, and in talented people slowly pulling away. Leaders feel it too — carrying more than their share, avoiding vulnerability, and navigating decisions from a place of self-protection rather than clarity.

In this New Year’s Day episode of Tutum Talk, Cara explores what psychological safety really is, how its absence impacts individuals and teams, and how leaders can begin rebuilding safety — starting with themselves.

You’re also invited into a reflective practice for times of adversity: instead of asking “Why is this happening to me?” — gently asking, “What is this here to teach me?”

This episode is a grounded, compassionate starting point for leaders who want to enter the new year with more honesty, presence, and care — for themselves and the people they lead.

In this episode, we explore:

• What psychological safety truly means (and what it doesn’t)
• How lack of safety shows up in the body, behavior, and culture
• The hidden costs of unsafety for both leaders and teams
• Why silence, over-functioning, and disengagement are often signs of fear — not apathy
• A powerful reflection practice for navigating adversity with curiosity instead of self-blame
• Small, everyday ways leaders can begin rebuilding safety and trust
• Why safety isn’t about perfection — it’s about presence and repair

Reflection questions to carry into the new year:

• Where do I feel safe at work — and where do I find myself bracing?
• What has the absence of safety been teaching me?
• What is one small way I can model psychological safety this year — for myself or my team?

A gentle invitation:
If this episode resonates — if you’re realizing you’ve been leading while feeling unsafe, or carrying the emotional weight of a culture that needs care — you don’t have to do that alone.

You’re invited to click the “Let’s Connect” button on the Tutum Leadership Coaching website to schedule one-on-one coaching. It would be an honor to support you as you build leadership rooted in clarity, trust, and connection.

Thank you for listening.
Thank you for your leadership.
And thank you for choosing reflection as you begin this new year.

About Tutum Talk:

Tutum Talk with Cara Nance is a podcast for leaders who lead with heart - even when they doubt themselves. Through honest conversations about presence, intuition, courage, and connection, Cara helps listeners build leadership rooted in humanity, not perfection.

Music provided by Music_Unlimited