In this personal case study, Rose Byass, Founder of Robust Leaders and a specialist in governance, risk, compliance, and neuroscience, recounts her experience resigning from a senior governance role after just 23 days due to psychological safety concerns. Despite her professional expertise in workplace health and safety, she encountered poor induction processes, high staff turnover, dismissive leadership behaviour, and what she describes as retaliation after raising psychosocial risk concerns. Drawing on neuroscience and governance principles, she explains how unsafe workplace cultures impact cognitive function and performance. The article argues that psychological safety is a structural leadership responsibility — not an individual resilience issue — and calls for organisations to recognise and interrupt toxic cultures before harm occurs.
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