Psychological safety is built (or broken) in the very first moments of a meeting. A simple question can invite openness or silently signal caution, shaping whether people speak honestly or withdraw. This article explores how thoughtful meeting openers can create trust, foster candour, and ensure teams share what truly matters.

Most meetings feel like a calendar punishment: long, meandering, and unproductive. But with a few intentional steps, you can turn them into energising, meaningful sessions that people actually want to attend. Here’s how.