11: Building Protective Factors for Staff - The Foundation of Psychological Safety
What if the same conditions that help students feel safe to take risks also determine whether your veteran teachers spoke up in a meeting? In this episode of System Shift, we explore how the three core protective factors, caring relationships, high expectations, and opportunities for participation apply just as much to adults as they do to students.
We dig into why even well-intentioned leaders can unintentionally create unsafe environments for staff when expectations are unclear, trust is weak, or relationships are missing. Through real-world stories and practical strategies, we unpack how shifting from a risk-focused mindset to a protective-factor mindset can transform your culture into one where honest conversations drive real improvement.
In This Episode:
- How protective factors fuel both student and staff well-being
- Why psychological safety is the key to collaboration and performance
- Common leadership habits that unintentionally erode trust
- Practical activities to map and strengthen protective factors in your school
Key Takeaway:
Protective factors aren’t “soft” work. They’re the essential foundation for alignment, accountability, and lasting change.