
Psychological Safety in Practice
An Evidence-based Guide for HR Professionals
Helen Sanderson(Author)
Kogan Page Ltd (Publisher)
1st Edition
Will be published approx. on 3. October 2026
Book
Hardback
288 pages
978-1-3986-2942-4 (ISBN)
Description
Build a high-performing organization by embedding psychological safety throughout the business.
Psychological Safety in Practice is a practical, evidence-based guide for senior HR leaders and people executives who want to improve performance, wellbeing and retention by creating workplaces where people feel safe to contribute, challenge and grow.
Written by Helen Sanderson, an expert in wellbeing and health at work, this book moves psychological safety from theory into execution. It translates research into five clear foundations, mattering, voice, clarity, connection and learning, giving leaders a tangible framework they can apply across teams and functions.
The book then shows how to embed psychological safety across the full employee journey, from recruitment and induction to feedback, development and progression. It addresses the structural, cultural and leadership decisions that determine whether psychological safety becomes embedded or undermined at scale.
You will learn how to:
- Ensure people feel like they matter and see how their work makes a difference
- Invite voice so people speak up and know they will be taken seriously
- Build clarity in roles, responsibilities and decisions across teams
- Strengthen connection so teams agree how to work together and handle tension
- Embed learning so everyday experience, including mistakes, improves the work
- Embed the five foundations across the employee journey, from recruitment and induction to feedback, development and recognition
Grounded in research and practical application, this book provides the tools to create healthier workplace cultures, strengthen organizational resilience and unlock better business performance through psychologically safe ways of working.
Themes include: psychological safety, employee engagement, organizational culture, HR leadership, trust and transparency, workforce performance
Psychological Safety in Practice is a practical, evidence-based guide for senior HR leaders and people executives who want to improve performance, wellbeing and retention by creating workplaces where people feel safe to contribute, challenge and grow.
Written by Helen Sanderson, an expert in wellbeing and health at work, this book moves psychological safety from theory into execution. It translates research into five clear foundations, mattering, voice, clarity, connection and learning, giving leaders a tangible framework they can apply across teams and functions.
The book then shows how to embed psychological safety across the full employee journey, from recruitment and induction to feedback, development and progression. It addresses the structural, cultural and leadership decisions that determine whether psychological safety becomes embedded or undermined at scale.
You will learn how to:
- Ensure people feel like they matter and see how their work makes a difference
- Invite voice so people speak up and know they will be taken seriously
- Build clarity in roles, responsibilities and decisions across teams
- Strengthen connection so teams agree how to work together and handle tension
- Embed learning so everyday experience, including mistakes, improves the work
- Embed the five foundations across the employee journey, from recruitment and induction to feedback, development and recognition
Grounded in research and practical application, this book provides the tools to create healthier workplace cultures, strengthen organizational resilience and unlock better business performance through psychologically safe ways of working.
Themes include: psychological safety, employee engagement, organizational culture, HR leadership, trust and transparency, workforce performance
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Cloth over boards
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
ISBN-13
978-1-3986-2942-4 (9781398629424)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Book
approx. 10/2026
1st Edition
Kogan Page Ltd
€41.50
Not yet published
Person
Helen Sanderson is the founder of Helen Sanderson Associates where she works with public and private sector companies to develop human-centred and psychologically safe ways of working. She is an international consultant, speaker and author and is a fellow of The Royal Society for Arts (RSA). Before her current role, she held numerous senior roles across the healthcare industry and was awarded an MBE for her services to adult social care. She is based in Wales, UK.
Content
Chapter - 01: Mattering: Being Seen and Valued at Work;
Chapter - 02: Mattering through Appreciation, Recognition and Celebration;
Chapter - 03: Clarity: knowing what is expected and why it matters for psychological safety;
Chapter - 04: Clarity in decisions;
Chapter - 05: Voice: from holding back to being heard;
Chapter - 06: When someone speaks: listening, responding and keeping voice alive;
Chapter - 07: Foundation Four: Connection;
Chapter - 08: When connection needs Repair;
Chapter - 09: Learning: turning experience into improvement;
Chapter - 10: Learning through Confirmation Practices and Learning Cycles;
Chapter - 11: Where to Start;
Chapter - 12: Psychological safety in meetings;
Chapter - 13: Psychological safety across the employee journey;
Chapter - 14: Designing the employee journey on purpose: turning foundations into everyday HR practice;
Chapter - 02: Mattering through Appreciation, Recognition and Celebration;
Chapter - 03: Clarity: knowing what is expected and why it matters for psychological safety;
Chapter - 04: Clarity in decisions;
Chapter - 05: Voice: from holding back to being heard;
Chapter - 06: When someone speaks: listening, responding and keeping voice alive;
Chapter - 07: Foundation Four: Connection;
Chapter - 08: When connection needs Repair;
Chapter - 09: Learning: turning experience into improvement;
Chapter - 10: Learning through Confirmation Practices and Learning Cycles;
Chapter - 11: Where to Start;
Chapter - 12: Psychological safety in meetings;
Chapter - 13: Psychological safety across the employee journey;
Chapter - 14: Designing the employee journey on purpose: turning foundations into everyday HR practice;