Workplace culture does not break overnight.
It erodes quietly through silence, “just banter”, unchecked behaviours, and leaders who react too late.
That is exactly what Karen Maher unpacked in a powerful conversation on the Future Fit Leadership podcast with CEO Sadhana Smiles.
Now reshared as one of the podcast’s most important leadership conversations, this episode goes straight to the heart of what is going wrong in many Australian workplaces and what leaders must do differently.
From Investigating Harm to Preventing It
Earlier in her career, Karen was called in as a workplace investigator and lawyer when things had already gone wrong.
Someone had been injured.
A complaint had escalated.
Trust had fractured.
Culture was in crisis.
Today, her focus is different.
Karen now works with leaders before the damage is done. Her mission is prevention. To help organisations build psychologically safe, accountable workplace cultures where harm does not get normalised in the first place.
In this episode, Karen and Sadhana explore why prevention, not reaction, must become the leadership norm.
What They Covered
This is not theory. It is grounded, practical leadership insight.
Karen shares:
- Why prevention must sit at the centre of leadership accountability
- The real danger of dismissing harmful behaviour as “just banter”
- What psychological safety actually looks like on the ground
- How to build genuine speak-up cultures, not just policies
- The power of active bystanders to shift culture from the inside out
Karen also speaks about the deeply personal experience that fuels her commitment to safer, more human-centred workplaces.
It is honest, direct and essential listening for leaders, HR professionals and safety managers who are serious about culture change.
Listen to the Episode
Future Fit Leadership Podcast featuring Karen Maher
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5XNIW0tqWhvc6F4rm51a0h?si=0f52b9a69ed749aa
Thank you to Sadhana Smiles for the opportunity and enjoy the well-earned season break.
If you are looking to strengthen workplace safety culture, psychological safety or leadership accountability in your organisation, explore Karen’s keynote presentations or SmartCulture® programs for deeper cultural transformation.
