The Heart of the Matter: Nonpositional Leadership and Psychological Safety in Cardiothoracic Programs

Psychological safety in healthcare supports individual well-being, team performance, and patient quality of care. This study asked, “How might I foster psychological safety as a frontline healthcare professional in a nonpositional leadership role within the context of a cardiothoracic program?” I applied a first-person-focused action research methodology and utilized daily journaling and semistructured interviews with research participants. Thematic analysis identified themes that captured the relationship between self-perception, self-worth, and social interaction and its influence on individual experiences of psychological safety. Findings suggested self-reflection, emotional intelligence, and self-compassion can enhance individual awareness of positive attributes, contributing to a sense of connectedness at the team level. This research offered recommendations for supporting self-empowerment and self-worth in healthcare workers, encouraging their active participation in creating high-quality relationships. Future research implications explore the potential dynamic and synergistic relationship between self-compassion and psychological safety.

Author dc:creator

• Harris, Victoria, Jane

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Holmes, Shawn, Y

• School of leadership studies

Language dc:language.iso

en_US

Identifier URI

https://doi.org/10.25316/IR-19262

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:null:10613/27590