Joy in Work Curiosity Collective: Power dynamics and psychological safety
Power shapes every conversation. But do you know how it is influencing psychological safety in your team?
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About this event
Psychological safety isn’t just about encouraging people to speak up. It’s also about understanding the power dynamics that determine who feels able to speak, who stays silent, and why.
In this interactive session we’ll explore how formal authority, expertise, personality, hierarchy and social influence affect psychological safety, and what leaders and team members can do to create environments where everyone feels safe to contribute. Expect practical tools, thought-provoking discussion and insights you can apply immediately.
What you’ll learn
In the session, you’ll learn to:
- Recognise the different forms of power that exist in teams and understand how power dynamics can either strengthen or undermine psychological safety.
- Spot the behaviours and team dynamics that prevent people from speaking up.
- Reflect on your own use of power and influence regardless of your own power and seniority.
- Apply practical strategies to help you challenge behaviours.
Who should attend?
This event is open to all, and will be particularly helpful for those interested in the application of Joy in Work or Psychological Safety at work.
Facilitators
Julia is on a mission to help NHS staff reduce stress and overwhelm and be happier at work. She has supported NHS teams and organisations with quality improvement at a national, regional, and local level for over 25 years. During this time she has seen the tension between staff wanting to do a great job and the challenges of working in difficult environments with too few staff. This has made her both sad and determined that things need to change. She was a member of the first cohort to complete the IHI training on Improving Joy in Work and has been training staff in this approach, along with others, within NHS teams ever since. In 2018 she set up the Q Community Improving Joy in Work Special Interest Group which now has nearly 400 members. She also regularly presents at NHS conferences and events on the subject of happiness at work and is an avid reader of anything related to this topic. Julia is Board Member for NESCHA (North East Social Care and Health Advisors) which aims to help influence and shape the quality of NHS services by ensuring the patient voice is heard. She is also educated to MBA level.
Overview of the event
The format of the event will include:
- A presentation
- Breakout rooms
- Q & A
The Joy in Work Curiosity Collective
Do you find implementing Joy in Work a challenge? Are you unsure where to start? Or, have you implemented Joy in Work for your team already and want to share your experiences? If so, the Joy in Work Curiosity Collective is for you!
Join Julia Wood and John Rouse for monthly virtual 45 minute discussions aimed at navigating the challenges of implementing and sustaining Joy in Work.
During each session we’ll leverage our collective brain power to tackle complex issues and questions surrounding Joy in Work. These discussions could make all the difference between implementing and sustaining a successful Joy in Work project and one which leaves you wondering where things went wrong.
In this session, you will guide the selection of topics which means that the content is tailored to your challenges and draws upon your experiences.
About the Improving Joy in Work online group
The Joy in Work Curiosity Collective sessions are part of the Improving Joy in Work online group.
The purpose of this group is to provide a learning forum to bring together those interested in Joy in Work.
Experts, complete novices, and everyone in between, is welcome to join this group so we can increase joy in our working environments.
Accessibility
We provide captions for all our online events. If you need any other adjustments to help you to participate please let us know using the form when you register or contact Q’s Events Manager, Adriana Thursby-Pelham.
More events in this series
The Joy in Work Curiosity Collective meets monthly. More dates will be available to book soon.
Book your place
Discover more
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Exploring what it means to work with a sense of joy
Case study 30 April 2025 4 minute readThe Joy in Work project aimed to enhance the fulfilment of health care staff through virtual sessions on quality improvement, collaboration, and work-life balance. -
Using QI to improve joy in work
Opinion piece 31 August 2023 6 minute readJulia Wood reflects on the Joy in Work Special Interest Group which looks at how to use QI tools to bring more enjoyment to the work day.