Become a Powerful LEADER and INFLUENCER By Creating a Speak-Up Culture with Stephen Shedletzky
In this episode of the Influence Anyone podcast (previously Legend Effect), host Howie Chan interviews Stephen Shedletzky, a global keynote speaker, a leadership coach, and the author of Speak Up Culture, a book that's redefining how we think about psychological safety and organizational influence.
They delve into leadership, influence, and, more specifically, how to create a speak-up culture that empowers and impacts change, whether in one-to-one conversations, within our families, communities, or companies.
The discussion emphasizes that influence doesn't start when you talk; it starts when others feel they can. Stephen provides the key to effective influence, as well as powerful, tactical insights on how anyone can build cultures where people actually want to speak up and leadership is strong.
Episode Breakdown:
03:21 The peak and valley experiences in the pursuit of fulfillment
08:25 Shed's journey of overcoming a stutter and using his own voice
15:44 Incorporate ideas and actions of others into your life in your own way
18:17 Powerful lessons from working with Simon Sinek
22:50 The definition of a speak-up culture
27:57 What a speak-up culture is not and what it actually entails
30:35 Curiosity and understanding others are key to effective influence
32:36 Don't just pitch to prospects, create a speak-up culture
38:10 How to create a healthy speak-up culture at scale
44:34 Influence and leadership versus extroversion and charisma
46:47 How to scale the experience and the impact of a community
49:46 Creating a speak-up culture at home and other parenting tips
56:07 Shed's definition of leadership and what makes a leader good or bad
1:04:53 A letter to Stephen Shedletzky’s younger self
From Our Guest:
Get the book, Speak-Up Culture.
Learn more about Dr. Beccky Kennedy's Good Inside parenting support.
Quotes:
“ I'm a big believer that our purpose often lives in what we have overcome and how we can help others do the same.” – Stephen Shedletzky
“The value of a speak-up culture is that you get data and input from folks who are closer to the problems and the opportunities that the organization faces.” – Stephen Shedletzky
“ We're told that as a leader, you need to be charismatic. No, you don't. You need to be you.” – Stephen Shedletzky
The Influence Anyone Podcast
The #1 podcast on applied influence psychology. Each episode, Howie Chan, a veteran brand and behavior strategist sits down with world experts and practitioners to uncover the hidden psychology that helps you influence yourself (mastering your mindset, habits, and decisions) and get buy-in from others (your team, clients, and audiences.) Together, we turn science into playbooks you can apply to lead, persuade, and create extraordinary success.
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