What Should I Say?
Corporate keynote

What Should I Say?

The conversations that shape psychological safety at work

The keynote

Most leaders care about their people. But when someone is struggling, underperforming, or simply not themselves, many don't know what to say. Drawing on psychiatry, real workplace experiences and live solo roleplay, this keynote shows how small shifts in language can completely change how a conversation lands. At its core: a simple, practical sequence of understand, acknowledge, then act.

Key takeaways
Recognise the common ways workplace conversations go wrong, particularly the instinct to fix or avoid, and how this affects trust, performance and retention
Learn a simple communication sequence (understand, acknowledge, act) along with specific phrases that can be used immediately
Build the ability to respond in real time by combining clear language with human presence, something AI cannot replicate
Best for

Leaders, managers and teams in fast-paced or high-pressure environments, and organisations focused on performance, retention and workplace culture.

Tags
Psychological safety Mental health Leadership Culture
Videos
Topic overview Topic overview Performance excerpt Performance excerpt Performance excerpt Performance excerpt Performance excerpt Performance excerpt
From audiences

Dr Jo Prendergast was a fabulous speaker. I don’t think some of us had laughed that hard in a long time.

Saunders Robinson Brown Law Firm
When Life Sucks book cover
When Life Sucks

Get the free chapter: Anxiety

Understand anxiety and how to help the people you care about, and receive the occasional message from Dr Jo.

How close to burnout are you?

Check your burnout score