Mistakes Aren’t the Problem. The Fear of Them Is.

Early in my career, making a mistake felt catastrophic. Not because the mistake itself was career-ending, but because of how I internalized it. I was afraid to mess up. Afraid of how it would look. Afraid it would cost me the next opportunity.

I was in that stage of my career where I wanted to grow, to move up, to prove myself. So, in my mind, being perfect seemed like the only way forward. I told myself, “If I don’t make a mistake, I’ll be in a better position for that promotion.” But that mindset didn’t help me grow.

It held me back.

I stopped taking creative risks. I hesitated to share new ideas. I focused more on looking polished than actually learning. Because the idea of getting it wrong—even once—felt too heavy to carry.

And then it happened. I made a mistake. A big one.

I still remember the conversation I had with my boss at the time. She was calm. Kind. Curious, not punitive. She helped me process what had happened, what I could learn from it, and—most importantly—she humanized the experience.

That conversation changed everything.

For the first time, I felt secure enough to take more risks. To speak up. To lead. I knew that if I messed up again, I wouldn’t be shamed or dismissed. It would be a conversation, not a consequence.

That’s when I started to understand the power of psychological safety—and just how vital it is to team performance, innovation, and well-being.

Throughout my career, I’ve been fortunate to work with more leaders who created that kind of environment, and I made it my goal to do the same for my teams. And now, through our Manager Essentials program, we teach new and growing managers how to do exactly that.

Why Psychological Safety Is a Leadership Skill

Psychological safety isn’t just a buzzword. It’s a foundational leadership skill. It’s the invisible thread that allows your team to speak up, own mistakes, challenge ideas, and bring their best thinking forward.

When managers don’t know how to create it, teams stay quiet. Creativity stalls. Feedback disappears. And eventually, people leave—not because of the work, but because of the environment.

In our Manager Essentials training, we give leaders the practical tools to foster psychological safety and still hold people accountable. It’s not about lowering the bar. It’s about raising trust.

Manager Essentials: A Practical Training for Real-World Leadership

Our next cohort starts September 17th. This program is designed for people leaders who want to:

• Build foundational leadership skills they didn’t learn on the job
• Learn how to give feedback, run meetings, and coach performance
• Create a culture of trust, motivation, and growth

This is not a theory-heavy course. It’s hands-on, practical, and led by experienced facilitators who have been in the trenches of leadership.

The program includes:

• 15 hours of live, virtual group training
• 1:1 leadership coaching for real-world application
• Tools and frameworks to apply immediately at work

Whether you’re a brand-new manager or someone who’s been managing without formal training, Manager Essentials will help you lead with more confidence, clarity, and impact.

Want to be the kind of leader who brings out the best in others? Join us.
Click here to learn more and register for the September 17th start date.