Skip to main content
Search Jobs

Saved Jobs
McKesson office

VOICES OF MCKESSON

Fostering Psychological Safety at Work

2 MIN READ TIME, 1 MIN VIDEO

Fostering Psychological Safety: How McKesson Leads with Care

At McKesson, care isn’t just a value—it’s a commitment. It’s how we show up for our customers, our communities, and each other. One of the most powerful ways we live this value is by fostering psychological safety: creating a culture where people feel safe to speak up, take risks, and be themselves without fear of judgment.


This isn’t just good for morale—it’s essential for innovation, collaboration, and performance. When employees feel secure, they’re more likely to share bold ideas, ask tough questions, and challenge the status quo. That’s how teams grow. That’s how we lead.

McKesson employees smiling

What Psychological Safety Looks Like at McKesson

Ricardo Mier, Director, Reporting & Analytics, knows firsthand how psychological safety transforms teams. “It became a priority for me when I realized that even the most talented individuals can’t thrive in environments where they don’t feel safe to speak up or make mistakes,” he shares.

For Ricardo, psychological safety means building a workplace rooted in trust, respect, and openness—values that mirror McKesson’s I²CARE values framework.

Ricardo’s leadership style reflects these values. He encourages honest communication, celebrates diverse perspectives, and creates space for feedback and learning. “It’s not a checklist—it’s a culture,” he says. “Psychological safety is a shared responsibility.” .

Ashley Hannon, a Business Intelligence Project Manager, echoes this sentiment. As a new hire transitioning from the tech industry, she faced the challenge of navigating a new culture. “It was daunting,” she admits. But a pivotal moment changed everything.

During a meeting, Ashley’s leader, Ricardo, noticed she wasn’t asserting herself and asked why. She explained that in previous roles, she’d been told to tone down her personality. His response? “Be the person I hired. I hired you for your assertiveness.”

That moment sparked a shift. “It created a new sense of safety I had never experienced,” Ashley says. “After that, I walked into meetings with confidence and felt empowered to lead.” 

McKesson employees smiling

Why Psychological Safety Matters

Research from Harvard Business Review reinforces what Ricardo and Ashley have experienced: psychological safety isn’t about being nice—it’s about candor. It’s about creating a shared sense of permission to speak truthfully, even when it’s uncomfortable. It’s not the absence of conflict, but the presence of trust.

At McKesson, psychological safety drives performance. Ashley explains, “It enables faster decision-making, clear communication, and stronger collaboration. When leaders model trust and openness, that’s when real impact happens.”  Ricardo adds, “Culture is the foundation that enables innovation, resilience, and long-term success. Without it, even the best tools fall short.”

Living Our Values Every Day

McKesson’s commitment to care, meaning, and belonging is more than aspirational—it’s embedded in how we lead, collaborate, and make decisions. Ricardo’s team recently received employee survey feedback that validated their efforts. A team member shared, “I feel included, valued, and empowered to contribute to our success.” For Ricardo, that wasn’t just a compliment—it was proof that psychological safety drives real outcomes: stronger morale, better collaboration, and higher engagement.

Ashley agrees. “My manager’s confidence in my judgment empowers me to lead and take full ownership. That trust allows me to deliver my best work.”

At McKesson, we believe that when people feel safe, they thrive. And when they thrive, we all succeed.

Interested in joining #TeamMcKesson? Discover and apply to our latest open roles here!