In this episode of the Leadership Code, we confront a challenge many senior HR and culture leaders know too well: being asked to stay silent while employees look to you for protection, voice, and visibility.

My guest, Luaskya C. Nonon, Esq. —attorney, award-winning diversity leader, executive coach, and author of Embracing the Future of Work—joins the conversation to unpack what it means to lead in the middle of competing demands. Together, we explore the hidden pressures leaders face, the erosion of culture under executive mandates, and the strategies leaders can use to preserve their values without losing themselves in the process.

From recognizing early warning signs of cultural retreat to empowering managers as culture carriers, this episode offers practical insights and real-world examples for anyone committed to building people-first workplaces.

If you’ve ever felt caught between executive expectations and the voices of your people, this conversation will remind you that you’re not alone—and that your influence still matters.