The Importance Of Emotional Safety, with Cara Cunniff

If you think “emotions” and “the workplace” don’t belong in the same sentence, think again. Emotional culture is influencing your safety culture, performance, and leadership impact, whether you realise it or not. I’m joined by Cara Cunniff, an expert in emotional culture and connection, to challenge the old-school mindset and explore how feelings drive behaviour, decision-making, and ultimately success.
 
Cara shares why being “emotionally attuned” isn’t fluffy, it’s foundational. We also unpack her experience from military life to entrepreneurship, and how leaders can start small but meaningful shifts to create safer, more connected teams.
 
Highlights
Emotional culture defined: Connecting how people feel to how they perform
The safety word dilemma: How “safety” makes people feel—and why that matters
Psychological safety in action: Why better conversations move business forward
Mapping emotions at work: Using cards, check-ins, and simple rituals
Leadership presence: Asking “how do I want my team to feel around me?”
Feelings as metrics: Turning emotions into leading indicators for performance
Valued and appreciated: The most overlooked emotional need in the workplace
Practical first steps: From journalling to simply saying thank you 
Actions:
Sign up for a future Safety Roundtable: https://safetyroundtable.co.uk/ 
Connect with Cara on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/caracunniff/
ThriveWell Global Website: www.thrivewell.global
Connect with Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christian-harris-slip-safety/