Over the last few months, we’ve noticed something creeping back in.
The instinct to protect.
Leaders holding on just a bit tighter. Team members looking for sign-off before they move. Conversations dialling down the challenge.
It’s understandable - protection feels helpful but here’s the thing: protection holds people back. Safety moves them forward.
Safety isn’t about removing risk. It’s about creating the clarity and confidence people need to lean in, speak up, and take action. It shows up in the small stuff - how we respond to feedback, handle friction, or set the tone in a team meeting.
And those small signals? They’re culture-shaping.
From Shielding to Signalling
“Leave it with me” might feel supportive but it shuts down stretch.
Try this instead: “Want to take the first crack?”
It’s a simple way to say: I trust you. I’ll back you.
From Silence to Stretch
When something’s not working, and no one’s saying anything? That’s not calm - it’s stuck.
The shift: Say “Thanks for raising that” before you do anything else.
Pause. Let it land. You’re modelling safety, not control.
From Filling Gaps to Creating Growth
Jumping in to fix can feel efficient. But over time, it creates dependency.
Ask: “Where might we be protecting people who are more ready than we think?”
What We’re Seeing
Across Leadershift sessions, one pattern is clear: Teams don’t need protection - they need permission.
The strongest teams we’re seeing right now aren’t soft. They’re direct and generous. They challenge each other. They take risks. And they’ve got each other’s backs. That’s what safety looks like in practice.
WHAT'S WORTH YOUR TIME
📘 The Fearless Organization – Amy Edmondson. Still the benchmark on psychological safety.
📄 The Executive’s Guide to Better Listening – McKinsey. Fast and useful.
🎧 Overcoming Toxic Positivity - Adam Grant and Susan David. Great if your team’s a bit too polite.
LISTEN AND LEAD
LEADERSHIFT
Leadershift is a six-month program that helps leaders shift how they show up when expectations are changing. We start with Safety - because it’s the foundation for all the other shifts that matter: Hope, Autonomy, Purpose, Exploration.
Workshops. Masterclasses. Coaching. Practical and energising, not just theory. If your team is stepping into FY26 with more complexity and less clarity, we should talk.
Where could you stop protecting? and start making it safe to stretch?
Learn More: www.thepeoplegame.com/leadershift
Regards,
The People Game
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