im Gumm: I have the privilege of talking to Leslie Weldon and Holly Krake about psychological safety in general and, in particular, an article that Holly led in writing called “The Big Quiet.” Leslie, let’s start with you: What comes to mind when we say psychological safety?

Leslie Weldon: I think about it in really personal terms. I started with the Forest Service in the summer of 1981, coming from Virginia Tech in southwestern Virginia. My first job was on the North Bend Ranger District of the Mount Baker- Snoqualmie National Forest. I was extremely excited and ready for this great work in natural resources conservation. But I came as a 19-year- old Black female to work for the Forest Service, and I couldn’t have switched from more different worlds. And I was very concerned. <more>