Psychological safety in the age of AI

<p>In this episode, Drew sits down with Ellie Holbert, Founder and Principal of Impact Advisory Services, to explore why psychological safety has become the most critical leadership skill in the age of AI. The discussion covers the neuroscience behind fear and performance, why 47% of employees can&#39;t explain their own job responsibilities, and how leaders can create high-performing teams even when uncertainty is at an all-time high. Ellie shares insights from advising executives at organizations of all sizes, including a case study where an underperforming team unlocked $4.5 million in value through foundational team architecture work.</p><p><strong>Takeaways</strong></p><ol><li>When we operate from fear, our amygdala takes over and our strategic thinking goes offline.</li><li>Only 47% of employees can confidently explain what they&#39;re supposed to do in their job.</li><li>Psychological safety isn&#39;t about comfort—it&#39;s about enabling informed risk-taking and innovation.</li><li>Leaders cast a shadow; teams constantly scan for nonverbal signs of displeasure and self-censor accordingly.</li><li>Pixar&#39;s Brain Trust model proves that honest feedback delivered with respect drives exceptional work.</li><li>The basics are overlooked because they seem too foundational—but role clarity alone can transform performance. </li><li>Emotional regulation is a learnable skill, not a personality trait.</li><li>Deep breaths held at the top of the inhale activate your vagus nerve and calm your nervous system.</li><li>Leaders need to ask for feedback 7+ times before people feel safe enough to share honestly.</li><li>AI can serve as a stepping stone to coaching—not a replacement for human connection.</li></ol><p><strong>Chapters</strong></p><p>00:00 Introduction to Ellie Holbert and Impact Advisory Services</p><p>02:55 Ellie&#39;s Journey: From Management Consulting to Entrepreneurship</p><p>04:14 Why Psychological Safety Matters More Than Ever</p><p>06:22 Above the Line vs Below the Line Thinking</p><p>08:07 High Agency Teams and Creating Safe Environments</p><p>10:10 The Hidden Cost of Repeated Mistakes</p><p>16:11 Pixar&#39;s Brain Trust: A Model for Psychological Safety</p><p>19:29 Practical Advice for Mid-Size Companies</p><p>24:18 After-Action Reviews and The Culture Code</p><p>29:10 Top 3 Things Every Executive Should Do</p><p>34:13 Using AI as a Coaching and Regulation Tool</p><p>40:48 The Future of Work: Why Human Skills Matter More</p><p>45:12 Case Study: From 2.4 to 4.8 Team Effectiveness</p><p>47:30 Where to Find Ellie and the Team Effectiveness Assessment</p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Ellie &amp; Impact Advisory Services</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellieholbert">https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellieholbert</a></p><p><a href="https://teameffectivenessdiagnostic.scoreapp.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferer">Take the free Team Effectiveness Assessment</a></p><p><br></p><p><strong>Connect with Drew &amp; StealthX</strong></p><p><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhburdick">https://www.linkedin.com/in/drewhburdick</a></p><p><a href="https://stealthx.co/">https://stealthx.co/</a></p>