Lead Louder: How Storytelling & Psychological Safety Transform Team Performance
Join Julie Riga as she sits down with Jesse Puddles, CEO & Founder of SpotCorp, to explore how theatrical innovation, bold facilitation, and the power of storytelling can transform workplace culture and build high-performing teams through psychological safety.
In This Episode:
✨ Why psychological safety—not individual talent—creates the most successful teams
✨ How to bridge the generational divide: what Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials, and Gen Z each need at work
✨ The SpotCorp three-act framework that combines play, creativity, and deep storytelling
✨ Why "you have to be more interesting than your phone" in today's workplace
✨ How Gen X parents created Gen Z's purpose-driven work ethic (and why that matters)
✨ The one leadership practice that costs nothing but transforms retention and productivity
✨ Why leaders must participate in team experiences—you can't create safety from the sidelines
Key Takeaways:
📌 Teams with psychological safety see 34% productivity gains
📌 Employee turnover costs one-third of each person's salary—connection saves money
📌 Strategic acknowledgment is your most powerful (and free) retention tool
📌 Stories bridge generational gaps and create authentic human connection
📌 Three factors keep employees engaged: best friends at work, valued growth, and acknowledgment
📌 Fun isn't frivolous—we spend one-third of our lives at work, it should be enjoyable
📌 The "Big List of Not Yet" honors innovation while maintaining focus
Memorable Quotes:
"You have to be more interesting than your phone." – Jesse Puddles
"The teams with the most success aren't the ones with the highest performers—they're the ones with psychological safety." – Jesse Puddles
"Stories are what bring us together. When you hear someone's story, you actually realize how aligned you are." – Jesse Puddles
"We're all made up of strength and struggle. When you can show a little more of the struggle, you can connect on deeper levels." – Julie Riga
"It's not you and me against each other—it's me and you who value each other against this problem that's standing in our way." – Jesse Puddles
"Acknowledgment is your best friend. It is your easiest tool for retaining your employees." – Jesse Puddles
"We spend at least one-third of our lives at work—we should absolutely have fun at work." – Jesse Puddles
Perfect for leaders building high-performing teams, HR professionals seeking innovative solutions, executives committed to purpose-driven culture, and anyone who believes work should be both meaningful and enjoyable.
Connect with Jesse:
💼 SpotCorp Events
📱 LinkedIn: Jesse Puddles
📱 Instagram: @SpotCorpEvents
🌐 spotcorpevents.com
🎯 Specialty: Theatrical team building experiences that create psychological safety and authentic connection
Connect with Julie:
🌐 julieriga.com
🎧 Stay On Course Podcast
📱 LinkedIn | Instagram | Facebook
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💡 Share this episode with leaders ready to transform their team dynamics through storytelling and authentic connection.
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