What makes high-performing teams different from everyone else?
According to Google's groundbreaking Project Aristotle study, the answer isn't talent, experience, or intelligence. It's psychological safety.
In this episode of Build Better Teams, Shannon Russell explores the psychology behind successful teams and explains why trust, belonging, and open communication are essential for improving employee engagement, collaboration, and workplace culture.
Drawing from her own experiences in television production and entrepreneurship, Shannon shares how leaders can create environments where employees feel safe to speak up, share ideas, ask questions, and even admit mistakes without fear of embarrassment or punishment.
You'll learn why silence doesn't always mean agreement, how fear damages team performance, and the simple practices leaders can implement immediately to foster stronger communication and trust.
In This Episode You'll Learn:
• What psychological safety really means and why it matters
• The surprising findings from Google's Project Aristotle study
• Why high-performing teams are built on trust, not perfection
• How fear and silence hurt innovation and employee engagement
• Why leaders often mistake silence for alignment
• Four practical ways to build psychological safety within your team
• How vulnerability and curiosity create stronger workplace cultures
• Why disagreements can strengthen teams when handled respectfully
• How psychological safety improves collaboration, creativity, and performance
If you're a leader, manager, HR professional, or business owner looking to create a healthier workplace culture and build stronger teams, this episode is for you.
🔗 Learn more about Build Better Teams Consulting, LEGO® Serious Play® workshops, events, and experiences, and book a strategy call with Shannon Russell at https://buildbetterteamsconsulting.com.
Remember, the best ideas don’t just get discussed, they get built!
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