Just read a LinkedIn "leadership blurb" written by a frequent BNY poster and it inspired me to question what we see and feel every day at work.
The subject of “making honesty safe” would be inspiring if it weren’t the exact opposite of how things work at BNY. Psychological safety at BNY means keeping your head down, nodding at whatever leadership says, and praying your name doesn’t end up on the next transformation spreadsheet. People aren’t quiet because they’re thoughtful — they’re quiet because speaking up is a career‑ending sport.
Leadership talks about truth “not surviving in your presence.” At BNY, truth doesn’t even make it past the lobby. Emotional intelligence is treated like a luxury item, and disagreement is instantly rebranded as “not aligned,” “not a fit,” or “resistant to change.” The room doesn’t agree too quickly — it agrees strategically, because everyone knows what happens when you challenge the narrative.
BNY doesn’t need a lecture on psychological safety. It needs leaders who stop performing virtue on LinkedIn and start practicing it with the people who keep the place running.
Until then, honesty isn’t unsafe — it’s unthinkable.