October is a big month for us at HAYLO People—not just for celebrating HAYLO anniversaries for our team, but also because it’s Mental Health and Safe Work month.  

As the Director & Co-founder of HAYLO People, it’s the perfect time to reflect on One-Percenters—the small, consistent efforts that create a lasting impact and play a powerful role in fostering psychological safety and an inclusive environment within a business, which is essential for team success. 

Building a business is tough, and the most important part is finding the right people to join the journey. I am extremely proud of the exceptional, award-winning team we have built at HAYLO People, each of whom is an expert in personal injury recruitment, general insurance recruitment, and executive recruitment across the public and private sectors. However, our work doesn’t stop here. Once you have the right people, true success comes from creating an environment where everyone feels psychologically safe to contribute.

HAYLO People has created a workplace where every individual feels valued and encouraged to contribute—a commitment we’ve made to ensure we’re always doing right by our people. For us it’s about building meaningful engagement and respect for diverse perspectives amongst the team, not just during Mental Health and Safe Work Month but every day. 

Here are a few simple One-Percenters that the team and I use to help everyone feel comfortable speaking up at HAYLO People: 

• Celebrate the wins: “What was a win for you this past week?” or “What did you learn?”
  
• Sharing credit when credits due: Sharing credit when it’s due is essential in building appreciation, boosting team morale, and encouraging continuous collaboration and innovation. Anytime new ideas are generated amongst the tea, we always ask where these ideas where generated from to ensure we’re crediting the right people.
• Be inclusive: Consider different personality types. For those who find group settings a bit intimidating—especially introverts—1:1 conversation can make it easier to engage and share. We encourage this through our training and workshops to ensure everyone feels comfortable. 
• Recognise and appreciate different perspectives: When someone takes a small risk by sharing a new idea or raising a question, make sure to acknowledge it. That recognition encourages more open communication. 

In the spirit of Mental Health Month, I encourage you to consider the small actions that can make a big difference in your team’s culture.