Beyond Self Care

In the final episode of Season 4 of Beyond Self-Care: Psychological Safety – Research to Practice, Gail Markin and Jade Garratt reflect on the major themes explored throughout the series, including power, hierarchy, leadership, systems change, meetings, feedback, and workplace culture.This conversation examines the realities of creating psychological safety within complex systems and explores why honest dialogue, feedback, and collective reflection are essential for meaningful organizational change.

In Episode 5 of Psychological Safety: Research to Practice, Dr. Gail Markin, Jade Garratt, and guest Kevin Reimer explore the unwritten rules that shape workplace culture and psychological safety.They discuss how people learn what is safe by observing how others are treated when they speak up, challenge ideas, or make mistakes, and how these invisible rules influence belonging, reputation, and even career trajectory.This episode explores in-groups and out-groups, the fear of being labeled a troublemaker, the pressure to appear confident, and how leaders can create explicit norms and predictable responses that make it safer for people to contribute.

Gail Markin and Jade Garratt explore how power and hierarchy shape psychological safety, influencing who speaks, who hesitates, and how risk is experienced in teams. This episode focuses on moving beyond intention to better understand structure, authority, and participation in real-world environments.

In this episode of the Beyond Self-Care Podcast, Gail Markin and Jade Garratt explore how fiduciary duty, as outlined in British Columbia’s School Act, is understood and enacted by school leaders.Drawing on research with principals and vice principals, they examine how this responsibility can sometimes be interpreted as a need to stay silent or fully align, even in internal conversations. What begins as a duty to represent the board publicly can, in practice, shape how safe leaders feel to speak openly.This episode invites listeners to reflect on how policies are interpreted within systems, and how greater clarity and conversation can support voice, trust, and psychological safety.

Meetings are where ideas are shared, decisions are made, and collaboration happens, yet they're also one of the most common places where people hold back.In this episode of the Beyond Self Care Podcast, Dr. Gail Markin and co-host Jade Garratt explore the factors that influence psychological safety in meetings. They discuss how power dynamics, group norms, leadership behaviours, and meeting structures can either encourage participation or create barriers to speaking up.Together, they examine why psychological safety is about more than creating a comfortable atmosphere. It's about fostering environments where people feel able to contribute, ask questions, share concerns, and engage with different perspectives.Whether you're leading meetings, facilitating teams, or participating in organizational life, this conversation offers practical insights into creating spaces where trust, learning, and meaningful dialogue can flourish.In this episode:• Why psychological safety matters in meetings• How power and hierarchy influence participation• The impact of meeting norms and structures• Practical ways to encourage voice, trust, and engagement

In this episode, Gail and her co-host Jade explore what psychological safety really looks like in practice. They discuss why learning often involves discomfort and interpersonal risk, and why it shouldn’t rely solely on individuals being brave.The conversation examines how everyday interactions, responses to feedback, and moments of failure signal whether it is truly safe to speak up and learn. Bridging research and real-world experience, this episode invites listeners to reflect on how psychological safety is created and sustained over time.

Gail, Carolynn, Janet, and Caroline discussed the evolving role of human resources in promoting psychological safety, well-being, and a people-centered approach to governance. They emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication, fostering a shared vision, and engaging in long-term systemic change to create a more inclusive and supportive workplace culture. The group also explored the challenges of implementing change within a complex legal framework, the potential of technology to free up bandwidth for more human work, and the need for a holistic approach to governance and human resources.In this episode, the hosts delve into the evolving role of Human Resources (HR) in the workplace, particularly in the education sector. Janet Stewart and Carolynn Ryan discuss how traditional views of HR as a resource or asset are shifting towards a more holistic approach that focuses on unlocking the potential of individuals. They explore the idea of HR as a facilitator of authentic conversations and proactive well-being rather than merely a compliance enforcer. The conversation also touches on the importance of creating a shared vision and strategy that aligns with the needs of both employees and leadership. By fostering a culture of curiosity, openness, and collective responsibility, HR can transform from being perceived as either a hero or a villain to a true partner in organizational success.

Gail Markin and Caroline Picard host Mike Hooker, “retired” Superintendent, on this episode. Together, they discuss wellness, teamwork, and the importance of building relationships in schools. The conversation explores the challenges and strategies of creating and managing teams in small districts, the importance of establishing a clear vision for any working group, and the need for systemic change to advance wellness at various levels. Whether you're a school administrator, teacher, or other school staff member, this episode offers valuable guidance on creating and being a part of a supportive and thriving work environment for everyone.

In this episode, Dr. Jenny Weiner, an associate professor of educational leadership at the University of Connecticut, discusses her research and advocacy for more inclusive and equity-driven approaches in educational leadership. She emphasizes the need to shift leadership from a focus on individual charisma to creating supportive conditions that allow teachers and students to thrive. Dr. Weiner also touches on the interconnectedness of leadership, wellbeing, and equity, advocating for leaders to foster environments where staff feel safe to take risks, learn, and grow without fear of shame or judgment.Her research delves into the challenges faced by leaders, especially during crises like the COVID-19 pandemic. She explains how the pandemic exposed existing inequities and forced school leaders to make rapid decisions under difficult circumstances, highlighting the importance of collective accountability and psychological safety in school environments. Dr. Weiner's work also explores gender and racial biases in leadership, emphasizing that the feminization of the teaching profession has often resulted in leadership structures that fail to prioritize learning and wellbeing.

In this episode, Gail Markin, Caroline Picard, and Jade Garratt from Psych Safety discuss innovative professional development practices and the crucial role of psychological safety in educational settings. The conversation delves into the concept of Joint Practice Development (JPD), a collaborative approach that pairs teachers to plan, teach, and observe lessons together. This method fosters a supportive environment for growth and reduces the fear often associated with traditional observation models. Also discussed is the "Andon Cord" concept, adapted from Toyota's manufacturing practices, as a tool to encourage open communication and continuous improvement in educational teams. The speakers emphasize the importance of creating a culture where raising concerns is not only accepted but celebrated.Throughout the episode, the significant impact of psychological safety on teacher well-being, retention, and overall educational outcomes is highlighted. The conversation contrasts this with punitive evaluation systems that can stifle innovation and growth. The conversation acknowledges the challenges of implementing these practices, including time constraints and existing cultural norms. However, the speakers argue that investing in psychological safety ultimately saves time and leads to more effective teaching and learning environments.