EP 112: Creating Psychological Safety: Leadership, Feedback & Thriving Across Intersections with Karen Jones
In this episode of Thriving in Intersectionality, Dr. Lola Adeyemo is joined by Karen Jones, a seasoned leadership and organizational effectiveness consultant and the founder of Sacred Leadership Solutions, for a grounded and deeply human conversation about what it really takes to build workplaces where people can thrive.
Karen brings more than 15 years of experience across Fortune 500 organizations including American Express, Sara Lee, U.S. Cellular, and Ulta Beauty, with a career rooted at the intersection of leadership development, change, and organizational effectiveness. She is also an executive leader at NextUp, a nonprofit dedicated to developing the next generation of leaders.
Together, Lola and Karen explore leadership not as theory, but as lived practice β examining how feedback, identity, privilege, and psychological safety shape the way people experience work.
In this conversation, youβll hear:
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How Karen understands intersectionality through her lived experience as a Black woman leader in corporate America
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Why psychological safety is foundational β especially when conversations get complex or uncomfortable
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What giving and receiving feedback looks like when development is the real goal
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How privilege and identity influence access, perception, and opportunity at work
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Why networking and influence matter more than ever for career growth
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What professionals should focus on now as the future of work continues to evolve
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How leaders can develop talent while building cultures that actually work in practice β not just on paper
Karen also shares powerful personal stories that illuminate how leadership, privilege, and humanity intersect in ways that no framework alone can explain.
This is a thoughtful and practical episode for leaders, HR and DEI professionals, and anyone navigating their career while carrying layered identities β with insights you can apply immediately this year and beyond.
About Our Guest
Karen Jones is the founder of Sacred Leadership Solutions and a leadership and organizational effectiveness consultant with more than 15 years of experience designing and delivering learning and development experiences that produce sustainable outcomes. She is known for creating psychologically safe environments where people can grow, learn, and lead authentically. Karen currently serves as an executive leader at NextUp, a nonprofit focused on advancing women and building inclusive leadership pipelines.
π Learn more about NextUp: https://www.nextupisnow.org
π Connect with Karen on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karen-jones-36785b18
ποΈ Connect with the Host
Dr. Lola Adeyemo is a leadership strategist, speaker, and CEO of EQImindset, partnering with organizations to build inclusive cultures through ERG strategy, leadership development, and belonging-centered systems. She is the creator and host of the Thriving in Intersectionality podcast, where she amplifies the voices of leaders navigating layered identities in todayβs workplace.
π Explore all podcast episodes & resources:
https://www.DrLola-Adeyemo.com/podcast
π Connect with Lola on LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/in/drlolaadeyemo/
For Leaders & Organizations
If this conversation resonates and you're looking to strengthen leadership development, ERG strategy, or inclusive culture within your organization, explore Dr. Lolaβs consulting and workshops through EQImindset.