🚨 Time to Abolish Fear at Work Forever

Have you ever felt like you couldn’t speak up at work—or like your ideas weren’t welcome? 😔

I’ve been there too, and those moments have stuck with me. They’ve shaped how I think about leadership and what it means to create a safe, fearless workplace.

In my latest blog post, I share five personal stories where psychological safety was missing—and the lessons I’ve learned as a result:

• 🛑 The time I set a boundary, only to have it ignored when I needed support most.

• 🫣 A first day at work where “introductions” felt more like an awkward test.

• 💡 An idea dismissed with a sarcastic remark that silenced me for good.

• ❄️ A mocking comment about bad weather that shattered my trust.

• 🏢 A meeting room that became an isolating prison, driving me to quit.

Psychological safety isn’t just about avoiding these mistakes—it’s about creating workplaces where people feel free to speak up, share ideas, and be themselves without fear.

What’s one moment in your career that’s shaped how you think about psychological safety? I’d love to hear your story—hit reply and let me know! 💬

🎥 How a Cyclone Changed My View of Data and Leadership

What happens when a natural disaster collides with data-driven decision-making?

In my recent talk at posit::conf(2024) in Seattle, I shared how a cyclone tested not just my technical skills but also the resilience of the data culture at Te Kaunihera o Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland Council. I thought I had all the pieces in place—but when the pressure was on, I realised something critical was missing.

This talk dives into my journey with R, the lessons I learned from the incredible R community, and how vulnerability as an autistic leader became my greatest strength in fostering trust and psychological safety.

It’s a story about challenges, growth, and what it really takes to build fearless workplaces.

Let me know what you think—I’d love to hear your takeaways! 🎤

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Keep thriving,

Lee