Why do so many workplace wellbeing efforts fall flat, even when companies offer great benefits? In this conversation, Ian Shea explains why real wellbeing starts with culture, leadership, and the ability to create psychological safety at work.

Ian Shea, Founder and CEO of I Am Human, talk about how his path from investment banking and tech leadership to emotional wellbeing advisory shaped the work he does today. After a painful startup failure forced him to confront his own emotional health, Ian built a company that helps organizations create stronger, healthier cultures.

We discuss why benefits alone are not enough, how vulnerability from leaders builds trust, why founders need support in managing uncertainty, and how simple employee driven ideas like a PTO buddy system can create real behavior change.

This episode is especially valuable for founders, executives, investors, and anyone thinking seriously about culture, resilience, and performance.

Ian Shea's bio:

Ian Shea has over 30 years of experience building businesses as a leader and an entrepreneur. 

He is the Founder & CEO of I M Human, a Wellbeing Strategic Advisory Firm partnering with organisations to design, develop and enhance World Class Wellbeing Strategies.

Prior to I M Human, Ian founded Maestro Market, a marketplace for experts. Before that, Ian ran ReplayTV, a successful brand of DVR systems which he sold to DirecTV.

Ian earned an MBA from Columbia University & UC Berkeley’s HAAS School of Business, where he taught entrepreneurship upon graduation. Ian earned a BS in Economics from Cornell University.

Ian is the author of the Wellbeing ChroniclesTM, a newsletter covering the mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing space, and a frequent speaker on topics related to building a culture of emotional wellbeing.

Music Credit:

"Upbeat Corporate" by Music For Creators is licensed under CC BY (Creative Commons Attribution) via freemusicarchive.org.