Creating a Culture Where People Actually Speak Up with Stephen Shedletzky

What does it really take to create a culture where people feel safe enough to speak up—and bold enough to do it? In this insightful and laugh-filled episode, I sit down with Stephen “Shed” Shedletzky, author of Speak-Up Culture and longtime collaborator of Simon Sinek, to explore the nuances of what makes or breaks psychological safety at work.We unpack common leadership misconceptions, like thinking a one-time meeting invitation counts as fostering openness (spoiler: it doesn’t). Shed shares personal stories—including growing up with a stutter—and reveals how those experiences shaped his deep passion for helping people find their voice. The conversation spans practical strategies, like how to respond when people don’t speak up, and powerful leadership habits like asking, “Tell me more.”Whether you're leading a team, influencing from the middle, or just trying to make meetings suck less, this episode delivers tools, truths, and a few dad jokes to help you lead with more curiosity, compassion, and consistency.Learn more about Shed’s work at shedinspires.com or connect with him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/stephenshedletzky