Virtual Keynote for the Australian Public Service Commission

Karen Maher was honoured to deliver a virtual keynote for the Australian Public Service Commission (APSC) on Psychological Safety – Creating a Speak Up Culture.

This is a critical leadership topic across all sectors right now, and the APSC is demonstrating genuine commitment by developing practical, thoughtful guidance to strengthen psychological safety across the Australian Public Service.

The keynote focused on:

• What psychological safety really means in a public sector context
  
• Why speak up cultures are essential for risk management and integrity
  
• The link between leadership behaviours and trust
  
• Practical strategies to build open, high-trust teams
  

In complex, high-accountability environments like the APS, silence carries risk. Strong speak up cultures support better decision-making, early issue identification and healthier workplaces.

A sincere thank you to the APSC team for the warm welcome and the engaging discussion. The quality of questions and ideas shared reflected leaders who are serious about getting this right.

Strengthening Psychological Safety in Government and Beyond

Karen Maher delivers keynote presentations and leadership sessions across Australia focused on:

• Psychological safety and speak up cultures
  
• Leadership accountability and governance
  
• Psychosocial risk management
  
• Building high-trust teams in complex environments
  

To explore keynote topics, visit karenmaher.com.au/keynotes.

For organisation-wide workplace culture and psychosocial safety programs, explore SmartCulture® solutions at smartculture.com.au.

Stronger public service begins with leaders who make it safe to speak.