Protect Dissenting Voices – Your Shot of Fearless Culture #374

Where change agents find their weekly dose of culture insights and exercises, one topic at a time.

Gustavo Razzetti

Apr 23, 2025

The canaries that could save your organization have gone silent.

I hope it’s not too late.

Leaders claim to value these early warning voices but often dismiss them instead of protecting them.

The cost?

Talent exodus, broken trust, and "unforeseeable" failures that someone actually warned you about.

So, how can you create a culture that protects these vital perspectives?

This week, I share five actionable strategies to protect your warning voices before you run out of air:

Build systems to protect these warning voices
Convert ambiguous warnings into actionable intelligence
Reward those who speak up (financially and emotionally)
Formally codify constructive dissent
Promote a culture of courage, not safety

Explore this week’s newsletter:

My latest article → How to Protect the Voices You Need the Most
Join our global culture pulse
Practical tools to protect the voices you need the most

Stay fearless, my friend.

Gustavo

PS, this newsletter hit #16 in rising business newsletters in Substack 📈 – thank YOU for your support

In Case You Missed It

→ How to Encourage Team Members to Speak Up More Often

Help Shape the Future of Culture

What are the key global trends and challenges affecting culture?

That’s what we are about to find out. At Fearless Culture, we’re conducting a global culture study interviewing CHROs and People and Culture leaders.

We’d love to hear your perspective.

Complete this short form – and I’ll reach out to schedule the call.

Interviews are 30 minutes long and confidential (plus, you’ll receive a copy of the final report).

Ask Your Team This

Which voices consistently make us uncomfortable, and what is that discomfort telling us?

⚠️ Give It a Try

Invite your team to codify what a culture of courage looks like. Rather than adopting a generic mantra (“break things fast”), create your own version. For example:

"Be harsh with ideas, kind to people."

"We always speak up, especially when it's uncomfortable."

"We don't just learn from failure – we fix it."

Discuss how you will keep each other accountable.

🍦 Feed Your Curiosity

When employees speak up, companies win

Building a culture where employees feel free to speak up

My biggest nightmare? That we haven’t failed in a year

🔎 Improve Your Culture By Design, Not Chance

The Culture Design Masterclass is the ideal starting point.

Master the culture design framework, map and assess your current culture, and discover actionable ways to drive real change.

Registration is open for May, June, and July Masterclasses.

Dive deep into culture design with the Build a Fearless Culture program.

Master all the building blocks of culture – from psychological safety and purpose to feedback and decision-making.

Over eight sessions, you’ll acquire new tools and methods to improve your workplace culture – from feedback and meetings to psychological safety and decision-making.

The next cohort starts in June.

Our culture design programs have 100+ 5-star Google Reviews.