QFF: David Dilger of Edge Legal Returns: How ‘Results with Respect’ and One-on-Ones Help Small Businesses Manage Psychosocial Risk and Reduce Mental Health Injury Costs by 3x—Practical Legal Tips from 30+ Years Experience. (Episode 682 - David Dilger)

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Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends!

In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Michael Denehey interviews David Dilger, co-founder of Edge Legal, to explore the critical topic of psychosocial safety for small business owners. Drawing on over 30 years of legal and leadership experience, Dilger highlights the significant impact of unmanaged mental health risks in the workplace—emphasizing that mental health injuries cost three times more and take four times longer to resolve than physical injuries. He identifies key psychosocial hazards such as interpersonal conflict, inappropriate behavior, resistance to change, and mismatched expectations. Dilger underscores the importance of self-aware leadership, cultivating a respectful workplace culture, and conducting regular one-on-one meetings with team members. He also stresses the need for up-to-date policies, comprehensive training, and proactive risk assessments to effectively manage psychosocial risks and ensure legal compliance.

Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Mental Health Risks Are Costly: Mental health injuries cost businesses three times more and take four times longer to resolve than physical injuries—making prevention and early action essential.

Know Yourself as a Leader: The way leaders behave significantly influences workplace culture. Self-awareness and empathy are crucial for building trust and psychological safety.

Interpersonal Issues Are the Core Hazards: Most psychosocial risks stem from interpersonal conflict, inappropriate behaviors, resistance to change, and unmet expectations—addressing these proactively reduces harm.

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One-on-One Meetings Are Powerful Tools: Regular 10–15 minute one-on-one meetings between managers and team members help detect issues early, improve communication, and strengthen relationships.

Update Policies and Train Your People: Outdated policies won’t protect your business. Regularly revise them to reflect current expectations, and ensure all staff are trained and understand them.

Risk Management Is Not Optional: Conducting proper risk assessments, applying reasonable controls, and reviewing them over time is essential for compliance and maintaining a healthy work environment.

One action small business owners can take:

According to David Dilger, one action a small business owner should take is to implement regular one-on-one meetings with employees, as this fosters open communication, builds trust, and helps identify and address psychosocial risks early.

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Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

You get the culture you deserve—leaders shape it every day – David Dilger

The most powerful tool in management is a regular one-on-one – David Dilger

If you don’t understand people, you don’t understand business – David Dilger