Welcome!

Dear Readers,

I hope you’re all doing well! This week’s edition of The SAFE Leader Insights is packed with exciting updates.

I’m thrilled to announce that my latest article has just been published in The Chemical Engineer. This marks the beginning of a monthly column where I’ll be diving into the intersections of safety, inclusion, and engineering leadership. It’s an incredible opportunity, and I’m excited to bring fresh perspectives to the conversation each month. Be sure to give this first piece a read—there’s plenty more to come!

Also, The SAFE Leader podcast returns this week with Tom Geraghty, diving into psychological safety, and nominations for the Engineering Talent Awards open next week—stay tuned. Plus, I’m launching The SAFE Leader community call, a space for meaningful discussions on safety, leadership, and inclusion—more details soon!

Thanks as always for being part of this journey. Let me know what you think of the podcast, the article, or who you’re considering nominating.

Until next time,
Mark

Psychological Safety, Workplace Culture, and Thriving Teams

This week, I sit down with Tom Geraghty, Founder and CEO of Psychological Safety Powered by Iterum, to explore his fascinating journey from an experimentalist in ecological research to a leading authority on psychological safety.

Tom shares how he first discovered psychological safety a decade ago and how his passion for the topic led him to build a global community around it. We discuss his mission to make psychological safety practices accessible worldwide—not just in wealthy, white-collar workplaces, but in diverse industries and non-Western contexts where the need is just as great.

Throughout our conversation, Tom highlights the evolution of psychological safety, the gaps in research, and the exciting opportunities ahead for making workplaces safer, more inclusive, and higher performing. This episode is packed with insights for leaders, teams, and anyone looking to foster a more open and collaborative work environment.

Watch on YouTube here.
Listen on PodBean here.

A Trump Card against Diversity?

In my recent article published in The Chemical Engineer, I delve into the potential implications of President Donald Trump's recent executive orders on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within the STEM community. The administration has repealed numerous executive orders from the previous administration, including several measures supporting racial equity and combating discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.

These actions raise significant concerns about the future of DEI initiatives, particularly in STEM fields where diverse perspectives are crucial for innovation and safety. The article discusses the potential risks of reduced federal support for DEI programmes, the cultural shifts within organis

ations, and the critical importance of maintaining inclusive practices to ensure both safety and progress in engineering.

I encourage you to read the full article to gain a deeper understanding of these developments and their potential impact on our profession.

Read the full article on here.

Nominations Opening Soon!

Exciting news! The Engineering Talent Awards 2025, powered by EqualEngineers, will officially open for nominations next week on 3rd February.

This is your chance to recognise and celebrate outstanding individuals, teams, and organisations driving diversity, inclusion, and talent development in engineering. Whether it’s a colleague, institution, organisation, or project, we encourage you to put forward a nomination and help us spotlight the changemakers shaping the future of engineering.

With over 14 award categories, there are multiple opportunities to honour excellence across different areas of the industry. Keep an eye out for the official launch on the Engineering Talent Awards webpage, where you’ll be able to submit your nominations soon.

Want to see who won last year? Check out the 2024 winners here.

Sponsorship Opportunities Available
There are still opportunities for companies to become a headline partner or category supporter. If your organisation is passionate about driving diversity and inclusion in engineering, this is a great way to showcase your commitment. If you're interested, please get in touch!

First SAFE Leader Community Call

I’m excited to launch the SAFE Leader Community Call, a new space for meaningful conversations on leadership, safety, and inclusion. Our first session will take place on March 5th at 5 PM UK time (12 PM EST / 9 AM PST).

This interactive session is designed to bring together professionals from diverse industries to share experiences, ask questions, and discuss key leadership challenges. Whether you’re navigating change, fostering psychological safety in your team, or looking for fresh perspectives on inclusive leadership, this is the space for you!

Key topics we’ll explore in this first call:
- Psychological safety in leadership and why it matters.
- Balancing operational demands with a culture of inclusion.
- The impact of evolving workplace dynamics on leadership styles.
- Open Q&A—bring your thoughts and questions!

I’d love for you to be part of this collaborative and supportive community. Let’s connect, learn, and grow together.

Register now to secure your spot!

Let’s connect

Please reach out and connect with me on LinkedIn if we are not already connected.

I love helping organisations where the angle I take with the work I do might help in someway have you make traction in your culture.

Feel free to get in touch here.

Stay SAFE!