My guest for Episode #250 (!!!) of the My Favorite Mistake podcast is Stephen Shedletzky or “Shed” to his friends. He is a sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, — As a thought leader on psychological safety in the workplace, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world.

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Author of the book Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up.

After years on a corporate track, Shed was introduced to and inspired by the work of best-selling author Simon Sinek and, became the fourth person to join his team. For more than a decade, Shed contributed at Simon Sinek, where he led a global team of speakers and facilitators.

Shed graduated from the Richard Ivey School of Business with a focus on leadership, communication, and strategy. He received his coaching certification from The Co-Active Training Institute. He lives in Toronto with his wife and two young children.

Shed's route from his first job post-business school to establishing himself as a speaker, coach, and thought leader reflects the transformative power of self-awareness and the pursuit of work that aligns with personal passions. He transitioned from a potentially constrained corporate environment to one where he could significantly impact organizational cultures on a global scale.

While navigating shifts in career paths can be intimidating, especially during disruptions like layoffs, such moments can provide much-needed clarity and drive individuals to seek opportunities that resonate more with their personal values and dreams. Shed's experiences prove that embracing change and following your passion can lead to a fulfilling career, inspiring others to contemplate and pursue their professional aspirations in a more authentic, dedicated, and inspired manner.

Adopting psychological safety, authentic leadership, and the courage to speak up is critical to nurturing a positive and productive workplace culture. Steven Shedletzky's life and insights stand as an inspiration for all personnel, helping them create environments that prioritize the well-being of their teams and promote purposeful and fulfilling work.

Questions and Topics:

Should we quit or stick it out??
What is a speak-up culture? Why a speak-up culture?
Lessons about HOW to speak up most effectively?
Maybe we should call it ‘listen up culture’?
How often are leaders in denial about this culture problem? Or how often do they put the onus on employees that they SHOULD speak up?
Elon Musk seems not to engender a speak-up culture…
Boeing has declared now they want employees to speak up
What must leaders do to cultivate a “speak up” culture?

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