March On Stress

Reflective leadership builds community

Added on the 15th May 2025

On day four of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re focusing on leadership, and its role in fostering a resilient workplace community.

Leadership shapes culture. Effective leadership isn't just about decision-making; it's about self-awareness and continuous growth. Psychological safety is created when leaders are reflective, not reactive, creating space for trust, openness, and collective wellbeing.

Research indicates that leaders who engage in reflective practices enhance their decision-making, empathy, and team relationships. The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) affirms that reflective practice helps leaders question assumptions, improve decision-making, and foster a culture of continuous improvement.

This echo's the results from studies in healthcare settings, where reflective leadership has been linked to improved psychological safety and stronger team cohesion.

At March on Stress, our Reflective Practice sessions provide leaders with a structured, evidence-based approach that helps teams process the psychological and emotional impact of demanding work. Once trained, Reflective Practice, facilitated by leaders, offers:

• A safe and honest space to talk about difficult experiences
• An opportunity to understand and make sense of recent challenges and support recovery
• Reduction in isolation by mutual understanding and support

These sessions promote psychological safety by encouraging openness and solidarity across teams. It’s not about blame. They are about sense-making, connection, and healing, especially where moral injury is a risk. These sessions can also be co-facilitated by a March on Stress expert to build leader confidence.

When leaders model care and reflection, they send a message that wellbeing matters, and that the workplace is a community, not just a set of roles.

What are your leaders doing to support psychological safety in your workplace community?

Let’s talk about how we can support them: info@marchonstress.com.

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