#102: How Bias and Psychological Safety Shape Your Team with Susan Swendsen Harris

Jun 29

Every veterinary professional brings their own experiences, beliefs, and assumptions into the workplace. While bias is a natural part of being human, it can quietly influence how we communicate with teammates, care for clients, and create a culture where people either thrive or withdraw. Susan Swendsen Harris joins me to explore how becoming aware of our biases can strengthen psychological safety, improve collaboration, and help teams build greater trust.

Drawing on her experience as a veterinary social worker and leadership coach, Susan explains the four common types of bias that commonly appear in veterinary medicine and why recognizing them is the first step toward creating healthier workplace relationships. Through relatable examples, we discuss how bias can affect everything from onboarding new team members to interacting with clients and collaborating across departments. Rather than judging ourselves for these natural tendencies, we explore how curiosity, self-awareness, and shared language can help teams move beyond assumptions and build stronger connections.

The conversation also explores the four elements of psychological safety and why creating an environment where people feel included, safe to learn, comfortable contributing, and empowered to respectfully challenge one another leads to healthier teams and better patient care. Susan reminds us that these are not soft skills. They are leadership skills that require practice, vulnerability, and courage. By slowing down, remaining curious, and choosing connection over judgment, veterinary professionals can build workplaces where people feel valued, supported, and inspired to grow together.

What’s Inside:

How unconscious bias influences communication, teamwork, and client relationships
The four types of bias that commonly show up in veterinary medicine
The four elements of psychological safety and why they matter for every team
Practical ways leaders can build trust through curiosity, accountability, and open dialogue

Today’s Guest:

Susan Swendsen Harris, MSSW, LCSW, VSW brings over 11 years of experience in social work, including six years as a veterinary social worker, along with nearly three decades of involvement in animal rescue. She offers a trauma-informed and deeply compassionate perspective to her work, supporting veterinary professionals through the emotional complexities of caring for both people and animals. Her background includes specialized certifications in trauma intervention and emotional support, and she is proud to have co-presented trauma-informed trainings at the national level.

Inspired from a young age by the powerful bond between humans and animals, beginning with her pony at age three, Susan has built a career centered on presence, empathy, and connection. She finds profound purpose in walking alongside the kind, dedicated individuals in veterinary medicine. Her coaching style is grounded in compassionate listening, gentle guidance, and unwavering kindness.