Skip to main content

Articles

Psychological Safety: The Secret Ingredient of High-Performing Teams


  • 30 October 2025
  • Employee Engagement
Image
Share

What sets high-performing teams apart isn’t always talent, resources, or strategy. One of the most powerful, yet often overlooked, factors is psychological safety — a culture where team members feel safe to speak up, share ideas, and admit mistakes without fear of judgment or reprisal.

Why Psychological Safety Matters

Psychological safety is the foundation for effective collaboration. Teams that foster this environment:

  • Encourage Innovation: People share creative ideas without fear of looking wrong or foolish.
  • Learn from Mistakes: Errors become opportunities for improvement rather than sources of blame.
  • Make Better Decisions: Diverse perspectives are welcomed, resulting in stronger, well-rounded outcomes.
  • Increase Engagement: Employees who feel valued and heard are more motivated, committed, and less likely to leave.

How Leaders Can Foster Psychological Safety

Creating psychological safety starts with leadership. It’s about modeling trust, openness, and respect:

  • Lead with Vulnerability: Admit mistakes and show a willingness to learn. This sets the tone for the team.
  • Invite Input: Actively ask for feedback and ideas, especially from quieter team members.
  • Focus on Learning: Respond to errors by asking, “What can we learn?” instead of “Who is at fault?”
  • Listen Actively: Give attention, reflect back what you heard, and show appreciation for contributions.

These actions cultivate trust and encourage team members to take interpersonal risks — which drives performance and innovation.

Why Psychological Safety Matters for Best Places to Work

Organizations recognized as Best Places to Work consistently demonstrate high levels of psychological safety. Employees feel heard, valued, and empowered to contribute fully. This culture of trust and inclusion differentiates good workplaces from truly exceptional ones.

Psychological safety isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It’s a strategic advantage that strengthens engagement, collaboration, and long-term business success.

High-performing teams thrive in environments where people feel safe to speak up, experiment, and learn together. By fostering psychological safety, organizations build resilient, innovative, and highly effective teams — moving closer to becoming recognized Best Places to Work.

Ready to become a certified Best Place to Work?

Start your certification →
More articles

Concentrix Egypt: Shaping a Culture of Growth and Inclusion

  • Success story
  • 5m

Concentrix Egypt: Shaping a Culture of Growth and Inclusion

Find out how Concentrix Egypt empowers its teams, celebrates diversity, and drives positive change while achieving Best Place to Work certification.

Concentrix Egypt
Concentrix Egypt

Concentrix Egypt is a leading figure in the ICT sector, providing integrated solutions and technology services.


  • Employee Wellbeing
  • Culture

With over 22,000 employees across 12 sites and trusted by 76 clients, Concentrix Egypt is proud to be a leader in creating an exceptional workplace.

How do you actively engage your employees?

At Concentrix Egypt, engaging and empowering our people is at the core of our mission.

We create a workplace environment that values communication, development, and recognition. This starts with fostering open communication channels, ensuring that our Gamechangers feel heard and valued.

Our diverse training programs are tailored to enhance our team's skills and support their continuous growth, underscoring our commitment to professional development, and cultivating an atmosphere where every idea and contribution is highly prized and rewarded.

We also offer a comprehensive benefits package, that includes healthcare and promotes wellness through free mental health programs. In addition, we provide hybrid work schedules and flexible working hours that promote a healthy work-life balance.

By implementing these strategies, we cultivate a motivated, engaged, and productive workforce.

Examples of teamwork activities or initiatives that strengthen collaboration

Concentrix Egypt enhances its organizational culture through various initiatives, including culture workshops, team-building activities, and Engagement & Recognition events, alongside ESG efforts. We strive to make a positive impact on our local communities by actively engaging in environmental sustainability, social equity, and ethical governance initiatives.

Our sustainability programs aim to reduce our carbon footprint, demonstrated by planting 140,000 fruit-bearing trees in the past year, and promoting environmental conservation. We are committed to social causes, supporting community development projects and partnering with local organizations for positive change.

Concentrix Egypt encourages Gamechangers to contribute to charity activities by providing paid volunteer time.

Furthermore, we are dedicated to celebrating the rich variety of cultures and traditions that our team brings to the table. By actively engaging in diverse occasions such as Ramadan, Christmas, International Women’s Day and other global observances, we not only honor these significant events but also reinforce our dedication to inclusivity and employee engagement.

Your reflections on the Best Places to Work certification journey

The "Best Places to Work" certification highlights Concentrix Egypt's commitment to cultivating an exceptional workplace, which enhances morale and instills pride among our Gamechangers.

This recognition aligns with our strategic goals of promoting diversity and inclusion, as evidenced by the fact that women constitute 42% of our team and our ongoing focus on hiring persons with disabilities noting that we offer specialized development programs designed to enhance their skills and foster a more inclusive environment. This commitment not only enriches our workplace but also empowers every team member to reach their full potential.

Amr Sobhy
Amr Sobhy

VP

Advice you would offer to other organizations considering certification

Organizations considering the Best Places to Work certification should treat it as a strategic opportunity to strengthen workplace culture, not just a badge of honor. Start by gathering authentic employee feedback and acting on it to implement meaningful improvements. Maintain transparency throughout the process to build trust and engage all levels of the team to foster inclusivity and collaboration. This approach ensures the certification reflects genuine progress and long-term commitment.

Building Culture and Collaboration: EVA Pharma’s Best Places to Work Story

  • Success story
  • 5m

Building Culture and Collaboration: EVA Pharma’s Best Places to Work Story

Learn how EVA Pharma empowers employees and builds a culture that inspires excellence.

EVA Pharma
EVA Pharma

At EVA Pharma, our journey is built on more than a century of science and innovation — yet every day feels like the first step toward a healthier, more equitable future.
Our purpose is clear: to make health and well-being a human right by addressing unmet patient needs with solutions that are both high-value and accessible. This is not just our mission — it’s our calling.


  • Leadership
  • Employee Wellbeing

With a team of over 5,000 passionate professionals, we produce more than one million healthcare products every single day at our state-of-the-art, internationally accredited facilities. From life-saving medicines to wellness solutions, our work touches millions of lives across more than 40 countries — and every product is a testament to our commitment to quality, speed, and integrity.

How do you actively engage your employees?

What truly sets EVA Pharma apart is not only our vision, but the way our people bring it to life.

We are entrepreneurial at heart, patient-centered in every decision, and agile in the face of challenges. Whether it’s embracing digital transformation, adapting to evolving market needs, or safeguarding employee well-being in a fast-paced environment, our people turn challenges into opportunities.

George Saadan
George Saadan

People Operations Director

What are the most significant HR challenges faced by your industry today?

  • Adapting to evolving market needs
  • Safeguarding employee well-being in a fast-paced environment
  • Embracing digital transformation

Could you share details about the teamwork activities offered to your employees?

We believe collaboration is our greatest strength — from cross-functional projects to peer-to-peer learning and wellness-driven initiatives, we create an environment where every voice matters and every contribution counts. This commitment comes to life through a variety of initiatives that strengthen teamwork and foster connection across EVA Pharma, including:

People of EVA: our interactive internal communication platform that enables two-way dialogue and amplifies employee voices

Cultural and engagement activities: celebrations and wellness-driven initiatives that strengthen bonds across teams

Team-building moments: from happy hours to department gatherings that encourage informal connections and stronger relationships

Open forums: townhalls and annual meetings that build transparency, alignment, and shared ownership

Cross-functional innovation projects: encouraging diverse teams to work together on solving real challenges

Reflect on your experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey.

Earning the Best Places to Work certification is more than a milestone — it’s a reflection of the culture we are building together: one of care, trust, and inclusion. It proves that when you listen, empower, and trust people, they create not just a workplace, but a community where everyone belongs.

What advice would you give to someone looking to implement the certification process for their organization?

For any organization on this journey, our message is simple: workplace excellence doesn’t come from programs or titles — it comes from people feeling heard, valued, and connected to a greater purpose. When that happens, success is not just possible — it’s inevitable.

Saudi Xerox: Best Places to Work Journey and Commitment to People-Centered Growth

  • Success story
  • 5m

Saudi Xerox: Best Places to Work Journey and Commitment to People-Centered Growth

Learn how Saudi Xerox engages employees, overcome HR challenges, and build a thriving workplace culture.

Saudi Xerox
Saudi Xerox

Saudi Xerox is a leading provider of innovative printing and document management solutions in Saudi Arabia. We deliver a comprehensive portfolio of products and services, including office printers, copiers, managed print services, and digital transformation solutions.


  • Leadership
  • Employee experience

Our mission is to help organizations improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance document security through cutting-edge technology and customer-centric service. For over three decades, we have been a trusted partner for both private and government sectors, supporting their growth and digital transformation journeys.

How do you actively engage your employees?

At Saudi Xerox, people are at the heart of our success. We engage employees through continuous communication, learning opportunities, and recognition initiatives. Regular town halls, training programs, and team-building activities ensure that our workforce remains aligned with the company’s vision.

We also foster inclusion and empowerment through our WeShare Committee—an employee-driven platform where ideas are developed into initiatives with full management support.

Additionally, the Best Places to Work survey serves as a key engagement tool. It provides employees with a voice, while giving us actionable insights. By listening to their feedback and translating it into real improvements, we reinforce trust and show that their contributions directly shape our workplace culture.

What are the most significant HR challenges faced by your industry today?

Like many organizations in our sector, we face the ongoing challenge of attracting and retaining top talent in a competitive, technology-driven market. At the same time, the pace of digital transformation requires continuous upskilling so our workforce can adapt to new tools and ways of working.

Another important challenge is balancing flexible work models with the need to preserve collaboration, creativity, and productivity. And in the local context, we must ensure we are not only fostering diversity and inclusion within a traditionally conservative industry, but also aligning with Saudization requirements—striking the right balance between compliance and building a progressive, inclusive workplace.

Mehmet Sezer
Mehmet Sezer

General Manager

Could you share details about the teamwork activities offered to your employees?

We believe teamwork extends beyond the office. Our employees take part in:

  • Team gatherings and off-site retreats to encourage collaboration across departments.
  • Volunteering and social responsibility projects that allow employees to give back to the community.
  • Cultural and social events that build bonds and trust across the organization.

These activities nurture stronger relationships, reinforce shared values, and create a sense of belonging that enhances our workplace culture.

Reflect on your experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey.

The certification journey has been both rewarding and transformative. It provided us with an opportunity to benchmark ourselves against global best practices, gain meaningful employee feedback, and identify areas to strengthen.

The Best Places to Work survey has been especially valuable in helping us understand our current status and improve year over year. By turning survey feedback into concrete actions, we have strengthened the bond of trust between the company and our employees—demonstrating that their voices are heard and acted upon.

Achieving the Best Places to Work certification for the third consecutive year is a proud milestone that reflects our employees’ trust and our unwavering focus on their well-being.

What advice would you give to someone looking to implement the certification process for their organization?

  • Secure leadership commitment early—visible support from top management is essential.
  • Engage employees openly and encourage honest feedback at every stage.
  • Treat certification as a journey, not a destination—use it as a framework for ongoing improvement.
  • Focus on authenticity—building a genuine culture of respect, empowerment, and inclusion is the real key to success.
  • Be patient and consistent—sustainable change takes time, but the impact on both employees and organizational reputation is worth it.

Webinars and events

Culture Insights Review 2023

  • Friday, 7 April 2023 - 05:00 (GMT)
  • 60 minutes

<span>Culture Insights Review 2023</span>

Workplace culture trends are always evolving to meet the needs of businesses and technology. A few years back, telecommuting was a daring concept, and now it's commonplace in many working environments. Workforce culture trends reflect what some companies are already implementing and what other companies plan to implement in the near future. They also impact how businesses interact with employees, govern decisions, and measure success.
 

During this webinar, we will discuss 4 major workplace culture trends to look out for in 2023. 

What you’ll learn

  • Trends related to Hybrid Work Environment
  • Initiatives focusing on Employee Wellness
  • Ongoing training
  • Diversity initiatives

Speakers

  • Hamza Idrissi Global Program Director

Register for the Event

Articles

Creating thriving workplaces for Women: A commitment to inclusion on International Women’s Day


  • 3 August 2025
  • Employee Engagement
Image
Share

As we celebrate International Women’s Day, we recognize the importance of building workplaces where women feel valued, empowered, and given equal opportunities to succeed. At Best Places to Work, we honor the organizations that are driving meaningful change and creating environments where women can thrive.

The Power of Inclusive Workplaces

Workplaces that prioritize gender equality and inclusion don’t just support women—they foster innovation, engagement, and overall business success. Studies consistently show that diverse teams lead to better decision-making, higher productivity, and stronger financial performance.

The best companies go beyond simply hiring women; they actively invest in leadership development, mentorship programs, fair pay policies, and flexible work arrangements to ensure long-term success.

Companies Leading the Way

Certified Best Places to Work companies are setting a high standard by implementing policies and practices that support women in the workplace, including:

  • Equal pay initiatives to close the gender wage gap.
  • Flexible work arrangements that help women balance career and family responsibilities.
  • Leadership training and mentorship programs to empower women to take on executive roles.
  • Safe and inclusive workplace cultures where every voice is heard and valued.

By fostering a culture of equity and inclusion, these companies are not only supporting their female employees but also shaping a more sustainable and successful future for their organizations.

Moving Forward Together

On this International Women’s Day, we celebrate the companies that are taking action to build fair, inclusive, and empowering workplaces for women. But our work doesn’t stop here creating an equitable workplace requires continuous commitment, learning, and progress.

Together, we can create a world where every woman has the opportunity to lead, innovate, and succeed.

Happy International Women’s Day!

Ready to become a certified Best Place to Work?

Start your certification →
More articles

Articles

Rethinking the modern workplace: The enduring case for remote work


  • 11 June 2025
  • BPTW News Employee Engagement
Image
Share

The concept of remote work has undergone a profound transformation in recent years. Initially adopted as a contingency measure, it has steadily evolved into a sustainable and strategic model—shaping how organizations structure their operations and engage with their workforce.

Technological advancements and shifting employee expectations have been central to this evolution. Increasingly, professionals across sectors seek flexibility not only in where they work but in how they work. Numerous studies have shown a growing inclination toward hybrid and fully remote roles, with many employees citing improved productivity, reduced stress, and better work-life integration as key benefits.

From an organizational perspective, remote work offers significant advantages. These include broader access to talent across geographical boundaries, cost efficiencies, and often, higher levels of employee satisfaction. However, the shift is not without its challenges. Remote models demand a reconfiguration of leadership styles, robust communication frameworks, and purposeful efforts to maintain cohesion and culture in dispersed teams.

A noteworthy trend is the emergence of organizations that are not only adapting to remote work—but excelling at it. Many of these companies have been recognized under the Best Places to Work for Remote Workers program, which celebrates those leading the way in building exceptional remote work environments. These organizations demonstrate that when flexibility is embedded in a culture of trust, accountability, and inclusion, remote work becomes a powerful driver of engagement, innovation, and resilience.

The Best Places to Work for Remote Workers program honors companies that go above and beyond in fostering a thriving virtual workplace. By offering industry recognition, attracting top talent, improving employee satisfaction, and setting new standards in remote work practices, certified organizations stand out as pioneers in the future of work.

As the workplace continues to evolve, remote work is no longer an exception but a defining element of modern employment. Certification programs like Best Places to Work for Remote Workers provide a valuable framework for identifying and amplifying excellence in this space—offering both recognition and inspiration for companies ready to embrace the future.

Ready to become a certified Best Place to Work?

Start your certification →
More articles

Creating Exceptional Hospitality Experiences Through Employee Engagement: Gulf Hotels Group’s Best Places to Work Journey

  • Success story
  • 5m

Creating Exceptional Hospitality Experiences Through Employee Engagement: Gulf Hotels Group’s Best Places to Work Journey

Discover how Gulf Hotels Group fosters a culture of excellence and engagement through its commitment to employee well-being and the Best Places to Work journey.

Gulf Hotels Group
Gulf Hotels Group

Gulf Hotels Group is a leading hospitality company with a diversified portfolio spanning Bahrain, the UAE, and Zanzibar. The Group owns and operates Gulf Hotel Bahrain, Novotel Bahrain Al Dana Resort WLL, Crowne Plaza Bahrain, and Gulf Executive Residences in Adliya and Juffair. Additionally, it is a joint venture partner in Bahrain Airport Hotel Company WLL and manages the hotel at Bahrain International Airport.


  • Leadership
  • Employee Wellbeing

On an international scale, the Group owns and operates Gulf Court Hotel Business Bay in Dubai and manages Ocean Paradise Resort & Spa in Zanzibar. Gulf Hotels Group continues to drive growth and strengthen its regional presence, with strategic expansion plans in Bahrain and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

With decades of expertise in hospitality management, Gulf Hotels Group remains committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences across its properties. The Group has also established a strong presence in the food and beverage sector through Gulf Brands International and GHG Hospitality reinforcing its position as a market leader in culinary innovation.

How do you actively engage your employees?

We actively engage our employees through consistent feedback sessions, recognition initiatives, and collaborative team-building activities. We organize outings and celebrate key hospitality events, along with town hall meetings, to promote open communication and strengthen our sense of community. These efforts help create an environment where employees feel valued and supported in their professional development.

What are the most significant HR challenges faced by your industry today?

Some of the most significant HR challenges in the hospitality industry today include high employee turnover, talent retention, and adapting to changing workforce expectations, particularly in terms of work-life balance and career growth opportunities.

Could you share details about the teamwork activities offered to your employees?

Teamwork activities include team-building retreats and social events designed to enhance collaboration and foster stronger connections among employees. Retreats focus on developing trust and communication through various challenges, while social events like team lunches and outings provide informal settings for personal connections. These initiatives build relationships, create a sense of belonging, and reinforce a positive workplace culture, ultimately strengthening teamwork and contributing to a more cohesive work atmosphere.

Reflect on your experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey.

Our experience with the Best Places to Work certification journey has been invaluable. It provided insights into our organizational culture and highlighted areas for improvement, ultimately enhancing employee satisfaction and engagement.

What advice would you give to someone looking to implement the certification process for their organization?

For those looking to implement the certification process, my advice is to start by genuinely involving employees in the process. Gather feedback, focus on areas that need improvement, and communicate clearly about the benefits of certification. It’s a journey that requires commitment but can lead to significant rewards for the organization and its employees.

Subscribe to