Sheepdogs and Shepherds: The Impact of Leadership on Psychological Safety

We often hear about what causes burnout and why people leave a workplace, but how do we inspire those on our team to be the best version of themselves? How can leaders make sure that team members feel safe enough to invest themselves in the group?
The purpose of sheepdogs and shepherds are to protect the flock. This is not to say that air medical providers are sheep, but rather to emphasize the important role that leaders have in protecting those who dedicate their lives to serving and helping others. This session will discuss the impact leadership can have on the mental well-being of all members of the team. The concepts of supervisor support and organizational support directly influence everyone's overall mental health. Participants will explore concepts including psychological safety, moral injury, false compassion, and compassion fatigue as well as what steps all members of the team can take to support one another. Participants will learn about personal strategies for mitigating negative effects of stressors as well as the role of peer support - both formal and informal - on the ability to cope with difficult situations. Additionally, participants will look into how leaders can create a protected area for everyone.