Building a Speak-Up Culture: Lessons in Leadership (w/Stephen Shedletzky)
The conversation explores speak-up culture — what it is, why it matters, and how it drives retention and innovation. Stephen Shedletzky is the author of Speak-Up Culture, a leadership coach, and former member of Simon Sinek’s founding team. Stephen helps leaders create psychologically safe environments where people feel confident using their voices.
Why is this important for entrepreneurs? Employees in speak-up cultures are 92% more likely to stay and perform at their best. Through his company, Shed Inspires, he teaches that “we can’t ask people to perform at their best if we haven’t created an environment in which they feel it’s psychologically safe to do so.”
From psychological safety to feedback and self-awareness, Stephen’s message is clear: leadership starts the day you hire your first team member. And his definition of leadership is simple but powerful. “Leadership is the attempt to leave the people and world around you better than when you found them.”
Why is this important for entrepreneurs? Employees in speak-up cultures are 92% more likely to stay and perform at their best. Through his company, Shed Inspires, he teaches that “we can’t ask people to perform at their best if we haven’t created an environment in which they feel it’s psychologically safe to do so.”
From psychological safety to feedback and self-awareness, Stephen’s message is clear: leadership starts the day you hire your first team member. And his definition of leadership is simple but powerful. “Leadership is the attempt to leave the people and world around you better than when you found them.”
