How do great leaders build cohesive teams, create psychological safety, and work effectively with difficult people?

In this episode of The Energized Leader Podcast, Desi Payne talks with Tessa Kampen, facilitator and team engagement expert, about what it takes to create workplaces where people feel valued, understood, included, and energized.

Tessa shares why strong teams begin with understanding the people behind the job, not simply implementing better systems and processes. She explains the four stages of psychological safety, including inclusion safety, learner safety, challenger safety, and contributor safety, and why each one plays an important role in building trust and employee engagement.

You will also discover a powerful new way to think about difficult coworkers. Tessa challenges leaders to look in the mirror and ask, “What is it like on the other side of me?” before labeling someone else as difficult. She explains how curiosity, humility, self-awareness, and understanding can transform workplace relationships.

Plus, hear Tessa's memorable beach ball analogy for understanding another person's perspective and why understanding does not require agreement.

If you are a leader, manager, HR professional, team member, or anyone who wants to improve workplace culture, communication, trust, and connection, this episode is packed with practical leadership strategies you can use immediately.

In this episode, you'll learn:

• How to build stronger, more cohesive teams
• Why employees need to know their leaders genuinely care
• The four stages of psychological safety
• How psychological safety impacts engagement and trust
• How to communicate with people who think differently than you
• Why you may be someone else's “difficult person”
• How to become more self-aware as a leader
• How changing your perspective can improve workplace relationships
• Why understanding someone does not mean you have to agree with them

Contact Tessa: https://tessakampen.com/

Contact Desi: https://www.desipayne.com/