In this Dear Dyslexic podcast episode, Shae speaks with consultant and leader Ben Walkenhorst about psychosocial hazards and how to create psychologically safe workplaces, especially for neurodivergent people. Ben shares his background (20+ years’ experience across sectors and leading teams up to 200) and his lived experience of dyslexia, including an auditory component and visual stress helped by Irlen lenses, which he says transformed his learning outcomes. He explains psychological safety as an environment where people can speak up without judgment or retaliation, and outlines three key factors: great leadership, job design/job demands, and environmental factors. Ben gives examples from remote work and local government process redesign, discusses clear role expectations, supportive feedback practices, reasonable adjustments, and why training and new legislation make this work essential.

If you found any of this content distressing, seek support:

• LifeLine on 13 11 14
• BeyondBlue counsellor on 1300 22 4636
• 13 Yarn (13 92 76)
• re:think dyslexia helpline 1800 13 6327