Episode 332

In this episode of UNSCRIPTED, host Sarah Nicastro sits down with Sacha Thompson, founder and CEO of The Equity Equation, to explore why psychological safety matters more than ever in today's workplace. From building trust and fostering open communication to creating truly inclusive environments, this conversation unpacks the essential components of psychological safety and its impact on innovation, talent retention, and organizational success. Whether you're navigating generational differences, managing hybrid teams, or working to transform your company culture, this discussion offers practical insights on creating workplaces where everyone can thrive. Discover why psychological safety isn't just a buzzword, but a fundamental requirement for building sustainable, high-performing organizations. 

What You'll Learn

• How to build fundamental trust through consistent alignment between words and actions 
• Why psychological safety is crucial for innovation and talent retention in today's workplace 
• The key components of psychological safety: trust, respect, open communication, and belonging 
• How to effectively lead through organizational change while maintaining psychological safety 
• Why diversity, equity, and inclusion are inseparable from creating psychologically safe environments 
• How to assess and improve psychological safety across different levels of organizational maturity 
• The importance of adapting leadership approaches for a multi-generational workforce 
• Why authentic communication during difficult times builds rather than diminishes trust 
• How to balance organizational directives with creating safe spaces for your team 
• The connection between psychological safety and sustainable business success

About the Guest(s)

Sacha Thompson is the Founder and CEO of The Equity Equation, a consultancy dedicated to helping organizations build more inclusive and psychologically safe workplaces. With extensive experience in the tech industry and organizational development, she transitioned into DEI consulting after experiencing firsthand the impact of psychologically unsafe work environments. Thompson's insights on workplace psychological safety, inclusive leadership, and organizational culture have been featured in prominent media outlets including NBC News, MSNBC, Forbes, and Newsweek. In this episode, she shares valuable perspectives on creating psychologically safe workplaces, managing multi-generational teams, and implementing sustainable DEI practices. Her practical approach to fostering inclusive environments and building trust-based organizational cultures makes her insights particularly relevant for leaders navigating today's complex workplace dynamics. 

Follow Along

• [00:00] Intro: Why Psychological Safety Matters More Than Ever 
• [04:11] Building Trust Through Authentic Leadership 
• [08:25] The Power of Modeling Vulnerability 
• [17:50] Core Components of Psychological Safety 
• [24:18] Different Approaches for Different Leadership Maturity Levels 
• [29:38] Leading Through Change with Transparency 
• [34:34] Navigating Mixed Leadership Cultures 
• [39:01] Meeting Multi-Generational Workplace Expectations 
• [42:51] Why DEI Remains Essential for Business Success 
• [46:15] Moving Forward: Companies Taking a Stand 

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