What do you think?
Rate this book
Speak-Up Culture
If you listen, they will speak
We know the impacts of poor leadership: lackluster performance, missed opportunities, deleterious cultures, and, in some cases, disaster. While these issues are all too common, leaders also possess an immense opportunity. They can create a speak-up culture, one in which people feel it is both safe and worth it to share their ideas, concerns, disagreements, and even mistakes—all for the betterment of the organization
.
Speak-Up Culture is for leaders at all levels― from senior executives who believe in putting people and purpose first; to mid-level supervisors who wish to lead better and nurture the voice of their people; to aspiring leaders who want to uncover their strengths and better provide support to those
in their span of care. All these leaders share a common desire to know a better way to behave as a leader. They want to operate in a team and culture where people are engaged and willingly speak up, for the success of the whole organization.
Stephen Shedletzky has focused his career on helping leaders listen to and nurture the voices of others— to foster an environment where people feel heard and that they, their opinion, and their contributions matter. Speak-Up Culture shows you how creating such an environment is the responsibility and the advantage of every leader who wants to be great at leading, and who wants to create a better version of humanity while they do. Because the bottom line is that organizations with speak-up cultures are safer, more innovative, more engaged, and better-performing than their peers.
We know the impacts of poor leadership: lackluster performance, missed opportunities, deleterious cultures, and, in some cases, disaster. While these issues are all too common, leaders also possess an immense opportunity. They can create a speak-up culture, one in which people feel it is both safe and worth it to share their ideas, concerns, disagreements, and even mistakes—all for the betterment of the organization
.
Speak-Up Culture is for leaders at all levels― from senior executives who believe in putting people and purpose first; to mid-level supervisors who wish to lead better and nurture the voice of their people; to aspiring leaders who want to uncover their strengths and better provide support to those
in their span of care. All these leaders share a common desire to know a better way to behave as a leader. They want to operate in a team and culture where people are engaged and willingly speak up, for the success of the whole organization.
Stephen Shedletzky has focused his career on helping leaders listen to and nurture the voices of others— to foster an environment where people feel heard and that they, their opinion, and their contributions matter. Speak-Up Culture shows you how creating such an environment is the responsibility and the advantage of every leader who wants to be great at leading, and who wants to create a better version of humanity while they do. Because the bottom line is that organizations with speak-up cultures are safer, more innovative, more engaged, and better-performing than their peers.
- GenresLeadershipBusiness
224 pages, Paperback
Published October 3, 2023
19 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Stephen Shedletzky
3 books6 followersStephen Shedletzky—or “Shed” to his friends— helps leaders make it safe and worth it for people to speak up. He supports humble leaders—those who know they are both a part of the problems they experience and the solutions they can create— as they put their people and purpose first. A sought-after speaker, coach, and advisor, Shed has led hundreds of keynote presentations, workshops, and leadership development programs around the world. As a thought-leader on psychological safety in the workplace, he works with leaders in all industries where human beings work.
After years on a corporate track, Shed was introduced to and inspired by the work of best-selling author and TED speaker Simon Sinek and, soon after meeting him, became the fourth person to join his team. For more than a decade, Shed contributed at Simon Sinek, where, as Chief of Staff and Head of Brand Experience, Training & Product Development, 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
After years on a corporate track, Shed was introduced to and inspired by the work of best-selling author and TED speaker Simon Sinek and, soon after meeting him, became the fourth person to join his team. For more than a decade, Shed contributed at Simon Sinek, where, as Chief of Staff and Head of Brand Experience, Training & Product Development, 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
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
May 3, 2023
First, a caveat: Sheddy, as I’ve known him, is a close friend, so I’m far from objective here. That said, this a must-read guide for anyone hoping to build a speak-up culture in which everyone is empowered to be their best and speak their truth. It’s also full of wisdom, humour, and humility—an absolute must for any leader.
December 3, 2023
I met Shed on my first day of work ever. It was an absolute joy to read his book and get inspired by all of the specific stories of different leaders shared in here 📚 I have many scribbles in the margins I’m looking forward to taking action on 👏 Goooooo Shed! Thanks for shipping your ideas and encouraging us to speak up and create conditions for others to do the same ✨
August 5, 2024
So many essential leadership learnings are packed into this quick and enjoyable read. The book’s main focus is a 2x2 framework that creates a healthy culture for speaking up, especially when you have a different perspective. One of the key variables is “is it worth it?” — I found this to be an important and underrepresented consideration when it comes to employee voice behavior. You can encourage feedback all day long, but it will remain silent unless people trust that their feedback will make a difference.
While speaking up was the main focus, many other important leadership behaviors were explained: how to properly recognize others, how to be self aware, the selfless nature of leadership, and more. I appreciated the blend of case studies, research, personal examples, and clear instruction on what to say/do to enable a healthy culture. Highly recommend.
While speaking up was the main focus, many other important leadership behaviors were explained: how to properly recognize others, how to be self aware, the selfless nature of leadership, and more. I appreciated the blend of case studies, research, personal examples, and clear instruction on what to say/do to enable a healthy culture. Highly recommend.
January 24, 2024
I really enjoyed this, I learned a lot about what it means to build a culture within a company. Lots of great insights also into becoming a leader and what a good leader looks like.
October 14, 2023
This book is so impactful and relevant to our world today and as Stephen points out in the opening page, can even be the difference between life and death.
Our responsibility in organizations is to create a culture where this can happen because it means that people feel they can openly share about ideas, concerns, mistakes and even disagree. Great for the employees in the organization 🫶 and guess what - it also leads to better business results 🙌
Some of my favorite topics and insights from the book :
👂When leaders listen, truly listen, they create space for others to speak up.
🫶The platinum rule for creating a space for others to speak up ( one that I firmly believe in, and try to live everyday as well) “Treat others how THEY want to be treated, not how YOU want to be treated”
🩺 Our manager has more of an impact on our health and well being then our Doctor
👏🙌 In a speak up culture, people feel it is BOTH safe and worth it to speak up. Meaning creating the “open door policy” is not enough. If people don’t feel like their opinions or ideas will be treated/valued then they will still not speak up
⚠️ “Leadership is about owning our impact on others, even if that impact was unintended” and our ability to close the “Say/Do” gap where our actions align with our words is critical on our culture
If you want some great ways to create this culture then you should absolutely be buying this book!
Our responsibility in organizations is to create a culture where this can happen because it means that people feel they can openly share about ideas, concerns, mistakes and even disagree. Great for the employees in the organization 🫶 and guess what - it also leads to better business results 🙌
Some of my favorite topics and insights from the book :
👂When leaders listen, truly listen, they create space for others to speak up.
🫶The platinum rule for creating a space for others to speak up ( one that I firmly believe in, and try to live everyday as well) “Treat others how THEY want to be treated, not how YOU want to be treated”
🩺 Our manager has more of an impact on our health and well being then our Doctor
👏🙌 In a speak up culture, people feel it is BOTH safe and worth it to speak up. Meaning creating the “open door policy” is not enough. If people don’t feel like their opinions or ideas will be treated/valued then they will still not speak up
⚠️ “Leadership is about owning our impact on others, even if that impact was unintended” and our ability to close the “Say/Do” gap where our actions align with our words is critical on our culture
If you want some great ways to create this culture then you should absolutely be buying this book!
October 5, 2023
Stephen Shedletzky’s candid perspective on the personal and high-stakes game of leadership and thriving is a welcome breath of fresh air.
Viewing teams as the living systems they are, he acknowledges there is no uniform way to lead but describes the critical responsibilities of a leader: “To understand oneself, to care for others as they want to be cared for, and to contribute to the growth of others who choose to take up that same call to lead”. Any one of these three components could be a book in its own right, but Shedletzky seamlessly weaves them together, drawing on sound research, compelling stories, metaphors and good humor that helped me find myself in the content, and stoked a desire to participate in the generative shift he describes.
While acknowledging the necessity of nuance, context and subtlety, Shedletzky provide substantive scaffolding to guide the reader toward both the critical environmental ingredients, and interpersonal awareness necessary to cultivate a psychologically brave and empowered culture where all perspectives are not only valued and honored, but actively sought.
This practical resource should be recommended reading for anyone who wants to contribute to a culture where people feel it’s both safe and worth it to use their voice, and recognize we’re all better when we create space for everyone to do the same.
Viewing teams as the living systems they are, he acknowledges there is no uniform way to lead but describes the critical responsibilities of a leader: “To understand oneself, to care for others as they want to be cared for, and to contribute to the growth of others who choose to take up that same call to lead”. Any one of these three components could be a book in its own right, but Shedletzky seamlessly weaves them together, drawing on sound research, compelling stories, metaphors and good humor that helped me find myself in the content, and stoked a desire to participate in the generative shift he describes.
While acknowledging the necessity of nuance, context and subtlety, Shedletzky provide substantive scaffolding to guide the reader toward both the critical environmental ingredients, and interpersonal awareness necessary to cultivate a psychologically brave and empowered culture where all perspectives are not only valued and honored, but actively sought.
This practical resource should be recommended reading for anyone who wants to contribute to a culture where people feel it’s both safe and worth it to use their voice, and recognize we’re all better when we create space for everyone to do the same.
September 29, 2023
Stephen's 'Speak-Up Culture' is an open, honest, and inspiring resource that I will be referencing forever. He uses powerful stories and moments in his personal and professional journey to intentionally illustrate the differences between poor and toxic cultures and safe and trusting ones. The way he prompts the reader to question the 'pickle brine', encourages authenticity, and calls out the 'say-do gap' provides actionable concepts to remember and prioritize within all relationships. Listening to Stephen's voice in his audio book connects the reader even deeper to the content and leaves leaders feeling more encouraged to embrace and utilize a Speak-Up Culture within all areas of one's life. This book is inspiring, motivating, approachable, and witty - best of all, it supports you in feeling seen and heard, while demonstrating the value and impact of doing this for others. Way to go, Shed! Can't wait for the next one!
September 11, 2023
From highlighting the Platinum Rule (“treat people as they wish to be treated”) to the Shedletzky Pickle Theory (“What happens when you put a cucumber in pickle brine? Ten times out of ten, that cucumber turns into a pickle”), Shed grounds the Speak-Up Culture principles with research support and engaging illustrations.
I particularly appreciate the section emphasizing the critical workplace need to leverage the talents and perspectives of the neurodivergent, benefiting everyone, including those deemed neurotypical (if, indeed any of us are really “typical”).
Let’s work together to create brine cultures where speaking up is encouraged and rewarded.
I particularly appreciate the section emphasizing the critical workplace need to leverage the talents and perspectives of the neurodivergent, benefiting everyone, including those deemed neurotypical (if, indeed any of us are really “typical”).
Let’s work together to create brine cultures where speaking up is encouraged and rewarded.
November 14, 2023
Best takeaway: encourage people to speak up by following the Platinum Rule: "Treat others how they want to be treated." This means paying attention, asking questions, listening actively, and doing things that matter.
Speak-Up Culture is a fantastic book that explains great ideas in an easy and engaging reading, gives examples of how to be a great leader, whether or not you have an official title, and how to help your team improve.
Speak-Up Culture is a fantastic book that explains great ideas in an easy and engaging reading, gives examples of how to be a great leader, whether or not you have an official title, and how to help your team improve.
June 5, 2024
A speak up culture is an environment in which people feel. It’s both safe and worth it to share their ideas, concerns, disagreements, and mistakes.
Our relationship with our boss has a greater effect on our health than the relationship with our doctor. - national institute for occupational safety and health
We need a better definition of leadership … one that prioritizes people, purpose, and then profit in that order.
Leaders own the impact on others, even if it was not intended.
The best leaders are “leader breeders”. - Kendra Reddy
The platinum rule: treat others as they wish to be treated
Our job as a leader is to teach, guide, mentor, coach, and support, not to tell people how we did it to make them do it our way.
Scaling culture is about caring and listening deeply to your direct reports and people that you impact and see every single day. When they commit to supporting and listening and equipping their people in the same way, you listen to them, you scale leadership.
A leader’s whisper is a shout, and their tiptoes are stomps.
On communication:
- You aren’t communicating enough and so you get bored with your own message. This means repeatedly saying the same thing 7-8 times in different formats.
- Adam Grant shows data that says leaders are nine times more likely to be criticized for under communicating than over communicating. those who say to come across as unclear and uncaring. To see if you’re delivering a great message, ask for feedback.
Use the FBI framework for sharing feedback:
- feeling: emotions generated in you by another’s actions
- behavior: just the facts. Events that evoked your feelings
- impact: behavior and feeling had on you in the past, how it influences you in the present moment, and how it may affect you and them going forward
Our relationship with our boss has a greater effect on our health than the relationship with our doctor. - national institute for occupational safety and health
We need a better definition of leadership … one that prioritizes people, purpose, and then profit in that order.
Leaders own the impact on others, even if it was not intended.
The best leaders are “leader breeders”. - Kendra Reddy
The platinum rule: treat others as they wish to be treated
Our job as a leader is to teach, guide, mentor, coach, and support, not to tell people how we did it to make them do it our way.
Scaling culture is about caring and listening deeply to your direct reports and people that you impact and see every single day. When they commit to supporting and listening and equipping their people in the same way, you listen to them, you scale leadership.
A leader’s whisper is a shout, and their tiptoes are stomps.
On communication:
- You aren’t communicating enough and so you get bored with your own message. This means repeatedly saying the same thing 7-8 times in different formats.
- Adam Grant shows data that says leaders are nine times more likely to be criticized for under communicating than over communicating. those who say to come across as unclear and uncaring. To see if you’re delivering a great message, ask for feedback.
Use the FBI framework for sharing feedback:
- feeling: emotions generated in you by another’s actions
- behavior: just the facts. Events that evoked your feelings
- impact: behavior and feeling had on you in the past, how it influences you in the present moment, and how it may affect you and them going forward
March 3, 2024
I have found myself all the time in this concept of a DVUCAD world, (which is the disruptive, volatile, uncertainty, complex, ambiguous and diverse) we’re living today.
The blessing resultant of a speak-up culture as the author states could help us to navigate on every item of this world akin to be a spotlight towards we ought to navigate, as you read this book (as happened with me) you will feel identified. Listen, but intentionally and help all in the room to build something the we all are earnestly looking for, a better environment namely job, society but for me firstly families. Blessings Stephen.
The blessing resultant of a speak-up culture as the author states could help us to navigate on every item of this world akin to be a spotlight towards we ought to navigate, as you read this book (as happened with me) you will feel identified. Listen, but intentionally and help all in the room to build something the we all are earnestly looking for, a better environment namely job, society but for me firstly families. Blessings Stephen.
March 4, 2024
This book is both engaging and thought provoking. I put it down every night thinking about how the lessons in the book applied to my daily life. A very important read for people across a wide variety of professions and stages in life.
October 4, 2023
I have been following Stephen Shedletzky's work for sometime now, and have been patiently awaiting the public launch of his book #speakupculture. Well, the launch is here and I am rapidly consuming my copy. (Shed is such a great story teller that I keep forgetting that I am learning something as I read it!)
The title and subtitle say a lot about what you need to know -- Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up. I am a few chapters in, and I can report that Shed unpacks these with interesting stories and simple frameworks. And pickles (read it, and you'll know what I mean).
More than just the title of his book, however, Speak-Up Culture is a movement Shed has been slowly building, and one I feel a part of; I have been using snippets of Shed's work that pre-date the book in my 1:1 leadership coaching and group facilitation work.
So, congrats to Stephen Shedletzky on the launch of the book, and thank you for sharing this important work with the world.
Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up
The title and subtitle say a lot about what you need to know -- Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up. I am a few chapters in, and I can report that Shed unpacks these with interesting stories and simple frameworks. And pickles (read it, and you'll know what I mean).
More than just the title of his book, however, Speak-Up Culture is a movement Shed has been slowly building, and one I feel a part of; I have been using snippets of Shed's work that pre-date the book in my 1:1 leadership coaching and group facilitation work.
So, congrats to Stephen Shedletzky on the launch of the book, and thank you for sharing this important work with the world.
Speak-Up Culture: When Leaders Truly Listen, People Step Up
October 2, 2023
"As early as kindergarten, we’re taught the Golden Rule. And while many of us live by it—treating others as we want to be treated—this approach lacks empathy. If we want to cultivate a speak-up culture, we must embody the Platinum Rule: treat people as they wish to be treated. To do that, we must observe, ask them what they need, and truly listen and act—particularly in a remote workplace."
This book brings together a number of topics that are important for all leaders to understand and the author has a very down to earth way to do this. Clear real-life examples, practical guides and tools, not just theory. I like the thought provoking statements that are used throughout the book, to put things very sharply in the spotlight.
This book is a must read for all leaders that want to understand how they can actively build a speak-up culture instead of claiming 'my door is always open' and being surprised no-one is taking you up on the offer.
This book brings together a number of topics that are important for all leaders to understand and the author has a very down to earth way to do this. Clear real-life examples, practical guides and tools, not just theory. I like the thought provoking statements that are used throughout the book, to put things very sharply in the spotlight.
This book is a must read for all leaders that want to understand how they can actively build a speak-up culture instead of claiming 'my door is always open' and being surprised no-one is taking you up on the offer.
September 13, 2023
I am on Chapter 5 now - it is riveting - this is going to be a business classic chalk filled with research, stories, sprinkled with your humour - and yet is very practical. This is such an important book today and very timely given the culture of "cancel culture". Stephen does a fantastic job of articulating the importance of allowing employees viewpoints to be amplified. He also breaks down how leaders can create a culture to encourage different voices to come forward. I can't wait to dig into the rest of the book! Congratulations to you Stephen Shedletzky - this is great work! An instant classic!
October 10, 2023
I have followed Stephen's career for a while now and his insights into a Speak-Up Culture have been invaluable to me in shaping how I communicate with employees. It provides a practical guide for leaders and managers to create an environment where employees feel valued and empowered to contribute their best ideas. I'm confident that the principles outlined in this book will foster an innovative and adaptable workplace environment, that I believe will result in sustainable success for my company. A must read!
October 6, 2023
I am currently re-reading Speak-Up Culture. This book doesn't just instruct; it empowers. It's not just a "how-to manual", but a powerful message, with the potential to create ripples of change. Speak Up Culture will resonate with people, and will help many find their voice through your words. Great work Stephen!
September 5, 2024
Fantastic read! Finished in 1 day
October 7, 2023
Speak-Up Culture is a must-read for anyone who wants to create a more open, honest, and collaborative work environment. This book is not just a collection of theories and concepts, but a practical guide that offers real-world examples, stories, and tools to help leaders and teams foster a culture where everyone feels safe, valued, and empowered to speak up.
Read my full review on LinkedIn:
Book Review: Speak-Up Culture by Stephen Shedletzky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/book-r...
Read my full review on LinkedIn:
Book Review: Speak-Up Culture by Stephen Shedletzky
https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/book-r...
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews