Rail Business Daily Guest Writer Feature: Creating Inclusive Leadership and the Pivotal Role of Psychological Safety
In a new Guest Writer article for Rail Business Daily, Laura Hedley, Head of Consultancy and Talent Services at the OPC, discusses the pivotal role Inclusive Leadership plays in driving organisational success. Research shows that diverse, inclusive leaders are more likely to develop innovative problem-solving teams, attract top talent, and consistently exceed performance goals. However, the foundation of their success often lies in creating a culture of psychological safety—an environment where all employees feel valued, respected, and free to express themselves without fear of judgement or repercussions.
In the feature, Laura highlights that Inclusive Leadership goes beyond promoting diversity. It’s about actively building a workplace where every individual can bring their full self to work—whether that's sharing ideas, raising concerns, or admitting mistakes—without fear of negative consequences. This is particularly important in safety-critical industries like rail, where open communication and the freedom to challenge unsafe behaviours can directly impact operational safety.
Psychological safety encourages employees to speak up, ask questions, and provide feedback, helping to improve safety outcomes and build a culture of continuous learning and collaboration. When Inclusive Leaders create a culture of psychological safety, they unlock potential and empower their teams to contribute. This not only helps to improve performance but also enhances creativity, decision-making, and employee well-being.
“Inclusive Leaders understand their perspectives aren’t universal. They prioritise psychological safety, knowing it leads to stronger, more effective teams. For industries like rail, this leadership style can also help promote safer operations.”
Laura Hedley, Head of Consultancy & Talent Services at the OPC
At the OPC, our commitment to Inclusive Leadership is reflected both internally and in how we support our clients. The RBD Guest Writer article highlights the wide-range of services offered from role profiling and leadership development to safety culture audits.
The OPC can help organisations embed inclusivity into their practices, and support leaders on their personal journey towards a culture of psychological safety, enabling them to drive team performance and ensure a safer, more inclusive work environment.
You can read the full Rail Business Daily Guest Writer article here.
Get in touch with the friendly OPC team to discover how we can support your Inclusive Leadership journey or help enhance your team’s psychological safety.