SPOS #943 – Stephen Shedletzky On Speak-Up Culture

Six Pixels of Separation Podcast

Welcome to episode #943 of Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast.

Here it is: Six Pixels of Separation - The ThinkersOne Podcast - Episode #943. My friend, Stephen Shedletzky (everyone calls him Shed) is on a mission to revolutionize how leaders listen and how organizations function. With a career dedicated to fostering environments where voices are heard and valued, Shed's journey began with a jarring experience at his first corporate job, where he witnessed the devastating effects of poor leadership and a lack of psychological safety firsthand. This formative experience ignited his passion for creating workplaces where people feel safe to speak up. In his book, Speak-Up Culture - When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up, Shed dives deep into the nuances of building a culture that encourages open communication. He emphasizes that a speak-up culture isn't about constantly voicing opinions but about ensuring it's safe and worthwhile for individuals to share their ideas, feedback, and concerns. During our conversation, Shed shares insights from his extensive experience working with leaders to develop these environments. He highlighted the critical role of humility, respect, and emotional intelligence in leadership, and how these values can transform an organization's culture. Shed’s work with Simon Sinek and his global team has equipped him with unique insights into leadership and culture. He has seen how leaders who genuinely listen and create spaces for dialogue can foster innovation, safety, and high performance. Speak-Up Culture is a practical guide for leaders at all levels, from senior executives to aspiring leaders. It offers strategies to create environments where people feel heard and valued, leading to better organizational outcomes. The book is a testament to Shed’s belief that great leadership involves more than just strategic thinking — it's about creating a culture where every team member feels empowered to contribute to the organization's success. In our conversation, we delved into the challenges of fostering a speak-up culture in today's climate, where fear and anxiety can stifle open communication. Shed shares his thoughts on the importance of feedback, the delicate balance between happiness and fulfillment, and the need for leaders to remain humble and open to feedback. We also touched on the evolving nature of workplaces, particularly with the rise of remote and hybrid work, and the importance of finding new ways to maintain connection and serendipity. By embracing the principles outlined in his book, leaders can transform their organizations and create a better version of humanity. Enjoy the conversation...

• Running time: 1:02:38.
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• Speak-Up Culture - When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up.
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• This week's music: David Usher 'St. Lawrence River'.

Takeaways

• Creating a speak up culture is about making it safe and worth it for people to share their ideas, feedback, concerns, and mistakes.
• A speak up culture is not about speaking up all the time, but about creating an environment where it is safe and encouraged to speak up.
• In the current cultural climate, it is important to have more humility, forgiveness, and space for dialogue.
• Cultures can change based on who is leading them, and it is important for leaders to create an environment where respectful disagreement and debate are encouraged.
• The shift towards remote and hybrid work requires finding new ways to create moments of serendipity and connection.
• Encouraging people to speak up and rewarding them for doing so are key actions in creating a speak up culture.
• Whistleblowing is often a last resort when internal speak up attempts fail, and it requires courageous leadership.
• The pursuit of fulfillment, rather than happiness, should be the goal in the workplace.
• Visionary leaders may not always possess the qualities of effective leadership, such as compassion, empathy, and accountability.
• Humility is a crucial attribute for leaders, as it allows them to acknowledge their strengths and limitations and be open to feedback.

Chapters:

• 00:00 - Introduction and Background.
• 03:12 - The Nuances of a Speak Up Culture.
• 06:08 - The Impact of the Current Cultural Climate on Speaking Up.
• 10:39 - Shifting the Paradigm of Leadership and Business.
• 29:58 - Navigating the Challenges of Remote and Hybrid Work.
• 31:50 - Creating a Speak Up Culture.
• 36:27 - Whistleblowing: A Last Resort.
• 40:33 - From Happiness to Fulfillment.
• 52:31 - Visionary Leaders.
• 56:22 - The Importance of Humility.