Leading with Trust: Why Psychological Safety Drives Performance
- Alison Nissen
- Oct 10
- 2 min read
“A Scout is trustworthy.” That single principle, as emphasized by Kyle Dorsey on The ABOVE CENTER® Leadership Podcast, resonates deeply: true leadership thrives on honesty and safety. While even the most dedicated individuals may sometimes “fall below center,” the strength of a culture lies in how it supports its employees in times of stress.
Everyone’s recovery looks different: for some, “bouncing back” takes a day. For others, a week or more. Leadership demands patience and nuance. True leadership isn’t about avoiding discomfort; it’s about facing it with integrity and empathy. A safe culture enables individuals to openly acknowledge their setbacks and rely on support without fear. Trust is earned, not just through strengths, but through the willingness to admit struggles and grow together to remain ABOVE CENTER®.
When a team member slips below center, their recovery, according to Harvard’s Amy Edmondson, is determined by how supported they feel. Psychological safety, or the belief that one can speak up without fear of humiliation or punishment, is foundational for innovation, performance, and engagement. Supportive leadership and trustworthy relationships promote this environment.
The ABOVE CENTER® approach emphasizes staying grounded, clear, and resilient, especially when pressures are high. When leaders create an environment where everyone feels secure enough to show up fully, take risks, and recover from setbacks, the team wins. Research supports this: William Kahn’s groundbreaking study “Psychological Conditions of Personal Engagement and Disengagement at Work” found that employees are most likely to thrive when three conditions are met: meaningfulness, safety, and availability. When those elements are present, individuals bring their full selves to their work. When those elements are absent, disengagement takes hold. ABOVE CENTER® offers leaders a way to reinforce these conditions, ensuring that people not only perform but also grow through challenges.
Building a safe, resilient workplace is not a one-time effort. It’s a continuous practice. Leaders who prioritize psychological safety, provide consistent support, and remain patient through individual struggles create cultures where employees feel empowered to take risks, innovate, and contribute fully. By staying grounded and nurturing these conditions, organizations can recruit, retain, and empower employees, ensuring that both people and performance thrive—today and in the future.
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About the author: As the co-founder and Chief Storytelling Officer of Revel Coach, a career growth platform, Alison Nissen helps leaders perfect their business pitches and online presence through storytelling. Successful executives use key storytelling points to engage their audience and gain market share because they know good storytelling is the best form of marketing, recruiting, and fundraising. Write Your Book NOW! Mastermind enrolling now.
The Revel Coach™ Blog is provided for educational and informational purposes only and is not mental health, financial, business or legal advice. The information presented here is not intended to diagnose, treat, heal, cure or prevent any medical, mental or emotional condition. The information presented here is not a guarantee that you will obtain any results or earn any money using our content.
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