QFF: Linda Manaena of LeaderLab on Building Human-Centered Leaders, Growing a Successful Culture of Psychological Safety, and Launching Her Bold New Podcast 'Meno Mojo' Blending Sass, Science & Shenanigans Around Menopause. (Episode 670 - Linda Manaen

QFF: Quick Fire Friday – Your 20-Minute Growth Powerhouse!

Welcome to Quick Fire Friday, the Grow A Small Business podcast series that is designed to deliver simple, focused and actionable insights and key takeaways in less than 20 minutes a week.

Every Friday, we bring you business owners and experts who share their top strategies for growing yourself, your team and your small business. Get ready for a dose of inspiration, one action you can implement and quotable quotes that will stick with you long after the episode ends! In this episode of Quick Fire Friday, host Amanda Jones interviews Linda Manaena, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of LeaderLab, a consultancy dedicated to helping leaders create psychologically safe and high-performing workplaces. Linda discusses how LeaderLab uses neuroscience and practical, evidence-based tools to support leaders in shifting from command and control to leading with clarity, courage, and connection. She emphasizes the importance of moving beyond compliance to foster genuine trust, inclusion, and well-being within teams. Linda also shares common ways leaders unintentionally undermine safety and the mindset shifts needed to build resilient cultures. A special highlight of the episode is Linda announcing her upcoming podcast, Meno Mojo, which blends sass, science, and shenanigans to explore the often-overlooked topic of menopause. Key Takeaways for Small Business Owners:

Psychological Safety is Not Optional — Even for Small Teams: Linda debunks the myth that small businesses are "too small" to worry about psychological safety. Regardless of team size, creating a culture where people feel safe, heard, and valued is essential for productivity and well-being. Slow is Smooth, Smooth is Fast: Taking the time to build trust and safety within your team may feel slow initially, but it leads to smoother operations and faster results over time. Investing upfront in people yields long-term gains.

Avoid the "Toughen Up" Trap: Old leadership mindsets like "just toughen up" are no longer effective. These attitudes can unintentionally harm team morale. Instead, leaders should focus on empathy, curiosity, and adapting to individual team member needs. Our hero crafts outstanding reviews following the experience of listening to our special guests. Are you the one we've been waiting for?

Compliance and Culture Go Hand-in-Hand: Safety isn't just a compliance checklist—it's about culture. Leaders must balance legal responsibilities with a human-centered approach that empowers teams to thrive emotionally and psychologically.

Leaders Can Undermine Safety Unintentionally: Common behaviors like micromanaging, rushing decisions, or dismissing ideas can quietly erode psychological safety. Awareness and better communication—like asking "What can I do differently to help you do your best work?"—go a long way.

Leadership Starts With Self-Awareness: One of Linda's strongest messages is about personal responsibility: leaders must look inward and understand their own behaviors and triggers to lead with courage and connection. Unlearning outdated habits is key to better leadership. One action small business owners can take: According to Linda Manaena, one action a small business owner should take is to ask their team, "What can I do differently to make it easier for you to do your best work?" and then simply listen. Creating space for open, honest dialogue builds psychological safety and trust. This small yet powerful step helps leaders better understand their people and improve overall team performance. Do you have 2 minutes every Friday? Sign up to the Weekly Leadership Email. It's free and we can help you to maximize your time. Enjoyed the podcast? Please leave a review on iTunes or your preferred platform. Your feedback helps more small business owners discover our podcast and embark on their business growth journey. 👇

Quotable quotes from our special Grow A Small Business podcast guest:

Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast—especially when it comes to leadership — Linda Manaena The real work of leadership is making people feel seen, heard, and safe — Linda Manaena Leaders don't need to have all the answers—they need to ask better questions — Linda Manaena