(Because no cat thrives in constant fight-or-flight mode.)
🐾 Cats Don’t Carpool: The Leadership Blog Series
Herding Cats, Managing Chaos, and Leading with Less Hiss
Imagine a group of cats forced into a new space. Some will hiss. Some will hide. Some will cautiously explore the corners. But none of them will settle, play, or thrive until they feel safe.
Humans aren’t much different at work.
When a workplace lacks psychological safety, people don’t speak up. They don’t take risks. They don’t innovate. Instead, they stay small, guarded, and disengaged—because survival feels more important than contribution.
So, what does psychological safety really look like at work? And how do you create it for your clowder?
🐈 What Psychological Safety Isn’t
Let’s clear this up first.
Psychological safety is not:
- Unlimited “niceness”
- A place where conflict never happens
- Coddling people so they’re never uncomfortable
Instead, it’s about creating conditions where people know they won’t be humiliated, punished, or ignored for being human—sharing ideas, making mistakes, or raising concerns.
🧭 Signs of a Psychologically Safe Workplace
If your workplace feels like this, you’re on the right track:
- Voices are heard – Even the quietest team members contribute.
- Mistakes aren’t career-ending – They’re learning opportunities.
- Questions are welcome – No one is shamed for “not knowing.”
- Feedback is normalized – And it flows both ways.
- People try new things – Because risk-taking isn’t punished, it’s supported.
🐾 How Leaders Can Build It
1. Model vulnerability
Leaders who admit mistakes or ask questions show it’s safe for others to do the same.
2. Reward input, not just outcomes
Thank people for their ideas—even if they don’t pan out. Contribution itself builds trust.
3. Address conflict with care
Conflict is inevitable. Psychological safety means disagreements are navigated without fear of retaliation.
4. Protect the quieter voices
Invite Betas, Babyfaces, and Lone Wolves into conversations. Don’t let Alphas or Divas dominate.
5. Be consistent
Safety erodes when leaders are unpredictable. Consistency in your words and actions builds long-term trust.
🐈 Final Meows
Your clowder will never bring its best ideas forward if everyone’s braced for claws.
But when people feel safe—seen, heard, and respected—they don’t just show up. They thrive.
Because a safe clowder isn’t just happier.
It’s more innovative, resilient, and fiercely loyal.
📘 Cats Don’t Carpool: They Come in Their Own Accord explores more ways to lead with empathy, trust, and humor.