9. One of My 3 Keys to Leadership

Welcome back to the Inspiration Podcast!

In today's episode, I'm breaking down one of the three foundational keys that has guided my approach to leadership for decades: Psychological Safety. From boardrooms to ballfields, I've seen that creating a space where people feel safe to show up authentically is essential—not just for performance, but for long-term trust and growth.

I take you back to a pivotal moment from my early leadership days, when a vulnerable team member opened up about his struggles—and how that moment changed everything for me. That conversation taught me more about connection, courage, and leadership than any textbook ever could.

Whether you lead a company, a team, a classroom, or a family, what I share today will inspire you to reexamine how you create (or miss) moments of psychological safety for the people around you.

🔑 Inside This Episode:

• The true meaning of psychological safety—and why it matters
• A powerful story from early in Stan's leadership journey
• How vulnerability and performance go hand-in-hand
• Why consistency is a cornerstone of trust
• Practical ways to create safety and clarity for those you lead
• 🎯 Final Thought

Leadership isn't just about strategy—it's about people. And when people feel seen, safe, and supported, they will surprise you every time. Let's build teams and families where that kind of trust is the norm.

Links:

https://www.stangibsonspeaks.com

Episode Minute By Minute:

• 00:00 – Intro: One of the 3 keys to leadership
• 01:15 – The importance of psychological safety
• 02:48 – A personal story about leading through vulnerability
• 05:30 – Why consistency builds trust and confidence
• 08:22 – Creating a safe space for people to speak up
• 10:40 – Final reflections and practical application