This is where I share my thinking, via my published book, my writing, my conversations, and the tools I have developed for leaders and organisations navigating the hard questions about culture, leadership, and safety at work.
“Psychological safety is not about being nice. It is about being honest, being brave, and being willing to have the conversations that most organisations avoid.”
Building Psychologically Safe Spaces is my contribution to the conversation every organisation needs to have but rarely does. It draws on my PhD research in Organisational Behaviour, my two decades of practice as a consultant and coach, and my direct experience with the human cost of workplaces that prioritise results over dignity.
The book is a practical and conceptual guide for leaders who want to understand what psychological safety is, not as a buzzword, but as a measurable, buildable condition that determines whether people can show up fully, speak truthfully, and contribute meaningfully at work.
“When people feel psychologically unsafe, they do not raise concerns, they do not share ideas, they do not admit mistakes, and they do not ask for help. The cost of this silence is immeasurable.”
It shows up in disengagement, in turnover, in stalled innovation, and in cultures where fear quietly replaces trust. Psychological safety is not about lowering performance standards. It is about creating the conditions under which people can meet them. It requires leaders who are willing to model vulnerability, to invite dissent, and to respond to mistakes with curiosity rather than punishment.
The research is unequivocal: teams that feel safe outperform those that do not. They learn faster, adapt more readily, and hold each other accountable in ways that fear-based cultures never can. This is not a soft ideal. It is a strategic imperative.
Read the full extract in the Sunday Times
Workplace bullying is becoming what experts call a 'silent epidemic,' quietly inflicting emotional and psychological damage on individuals. The University of Pretoria's Centre for the Future of Work hosted an event during International Workplace Bullying Awareness Week to discuss addressing this pervasive issue in hybrid workplaces.
Read MoreIgnoring workplace bullying can have a detrimental impact on productivity and work performance. CHROs discuss practical ways to eradicate bullying from the workplace and how best to create psychologically safe work spaces.
Read MoreWorkplace bullying is a complex subject distinct from discrimination, characterised by repeated, systematic negative acts. At the 2024 HR Indaba, Dr Ngao Motsei shared insights on recognising and preventing this pervasive workplace issue.
Read MoreAlmost 70% of employees say their manager has the same impact on their mental health as their spouse or partner – and even more influence than their doctor (51%) or their therapist (41%). The article explores how workplace environments significantly affect employee wellbeing and productivity.
Read MoreThe HR community explores practical strategies to eliminate workplace bullying and establish psychologically safe environments. Expert Dr Ngao Motsei discusses the causes of bullying and how organisations can address this issue through comprehensive policies and leadership accountability.
Read MoreDr. Ngao Motsei discusses her book Building Psychologically Safe Spaces and unpacks what it means to lead without bullying, exploring the line between high performance and harmful behaviour.
Dr. Ngao Motsei discusses her book on workplace bullying, exploring the importance of leadership accountability, the psychological impact on targets, and strategies for rehumanizing professional environments through specialized coaching for abrasive leaders.
Dr. Ngao Motsei demystifies the buzzword of psychological safety in the modern workplace. She explains that true psychological safety is the bedrock of high-performing teams, where everyone feels empowered to speak up and admit mistakes without fear of retribution.
Dr. Ngao Motsei emphasizes that fostering psychological safety is a critical leadership responsibility that directly counters workplace bullying and drives sustainable organizational productivity.
Dr. Ngao Motsei shares insights from her book, focusing on addressing workplace bullying in the South African context, the role of power imbalances, and leadership accountability in fostering safe environments.
Dr. Ngao Motsei discusses how intentional leadership can re-humanize the workplace by addressing workplace bullying, cultivating healthy organizational cultures, and managing employees with care and consistency.
SABC News unpacks Dr Ngao's book, a field guide for leaders rebuilding trust, safety, and dignity at work.
Dr. Ngao Motsei shares insights from her career transition into entrepreneurship, her research on workplace bullying, and her philosophy on leading a purposeful portfolio life.
Dr. Ngao Motsei presents a comprehensive guide for leaders on understanding and managing workplace bullying, drawing on her research and practical experience to equip managers with actionable strategies.
Navigating conversations about bullying, harassment, and psychological safety. These resources are freely available and designed for immediate use.
A practical, private diagnostic tool for anyone who suspects they may be experiencing workplace bullying. Walk through a structured set of reflective questions to understand whether what you are experiencing meets the threshold of bullying, and what your options are.
Source: Reproduced with permission from Workplace Bullying, A South African Perspective, 1st Edition by OK Mkhabela Download PDFA candid self-assessment for managers to examine their own management behaviour. Reflects on how you lead, communicate, and handle pressure, and whether your style may be creating a hostile or unsafe environment for your team.
Source: Reproduced with permission from Workplace Bullying, A South African Perspective, 1st Edition by OK Mkhabela Download PDF