EPISODE 1:  LOUD MINDS

Hey, everyone! Welcome to the very first episode of UnStifld, this episode is called loud minds and will get into what that means in a few. so whats unstifld all about.. its about creating workspaces that actually let people be their real, unfiltered selves. I’m your host, George Nijmeh, and today, we’re diving into my story and why I’m so passionate about helping leaders get their teams unstifled. Because, let’s be real, quiet rooms and loud minds don’t make for great ideas!

 

So, here’s a little about me. Growing up, I was that kid who had a million things to say, full of wild ideas—but at school? No way. Strict, judgmental teachers made sure I kept all that bottled up. I was so terrified of being called on that I’d pray for invisibility—even if I knew the answer! Ever been there? Outside of school, though? I was that kid—the one telling stories non-stop, chatting with my parents until they’d say, “Okay, George, that’s enough for today!”

 

But, fast forward to my first jobs, and guess what? My bosses were just like my teachers. Overbearing, super judgmental—it was the same energy. So, instead of contributing, I shut down. Meetings were torture. I knew I had ideas, but I couldn’t even bring myself to speak. I was back in elementary school mode—hoping no one would ask me a question.

 

Eventually, I said “Forget this!” and did something wild—I bought a Subway franchise at 24. Yeah, that’s right! My plan? Change the world through sandwiches and good vibes. Spoiler alert: it did not go as planned. I became the exact type of boss I’d always hated. No collaboration, no teamwork. Just fear. I walked in, and everyone went dead silent, eyes glued to the floor. Total leadership fail.

 

But you know what? That failure taught me everything. I realized I was being the kind of leader I’d despised, and the results showed. So, I hit reset—brought in new employees, laid out clear goals, listened to their ideas, and, guess what? We turned that place around. My team was crushing it, and we were having fun doing it.

 

Eventually, after some crazy stuff with the Subway brand (yeah, you know what I’m talking about), I decided to move back into the corporate world—armed with some serious leadership lessons. And this time, I was lucky enough to work for a leader who got it. They encouraged me to share my ideas, even the crazy ones, and that’s when I started to really thrive. No more anxiety. No more holding back. I was finally unstifled—and it felt amazing. Just up from there. 

 

Who would’ve thought that just by being myself—letting my personality guide my decisions—I’d end up thriving? No more waking up hating Mondays. No more dreading the conference room. And definitely no more feeling that pit of nerves before a big customer meeting. Why? Because I knew I was in an unstifled environment, where it was totally cool to be me. You do your best work when you’re relaxed, focused on the task, and not stressing over some fake version of yourself you’ve been trying to keep up.

 

That unstifled room, that unstifled vibe—that’s where the real magic happens. Right now, I’m the Vice President of Operations at a large aluminum die casting company in Chicago, and let me tell you—I couldn’t be happier. Every day, I get to create teams that actually enjoycoming into work. They support each other, and they truly want what’s best for the company—and for one another. That’s what it’s all about, right? Happy people, working together, in a space where they can be their authentic selves.

 

Ok, as we go on this unstifled journey, you will learn more and more about me, and through your comments, I can learn about my audience. but for now lets dive into how to create that unstifled environment that your employees are so desperately craving. 

 

How to Create an Unstifled Work Environment: The Cool Leader’s Guide

 

1. Let People Speak Their Minds

 

If you want an unstifled team, you’ve gotta make sure people feel free to speak up. Ask for their ideas, encourage feedback, and—most importantly—actually listen. Whether it’s a wild new approach or constructive criticism, create a space where no one’s scared to throw in their two cents.

 

2. Be Real and Own Your Flaws

 

Nobody wants a robotic boss. Be real with your team. Admit when things aren’t perfect or when you mess up. When you show you’re human, you give others permission to do the same. People will relax, open up, and focus on doing instead of pretending.

 

3. Give Them Space to Own It

 

Trust your people to make decisions and get things done their way. Don’t hover or micromanage—it’s a creativity killer. Let them take the wheel, even if that means some bumps along the way. Failing isn’t a bad thing—it’s how we learn and level up.

 

4. Set the Destination, But Let Them Choose the Route

 

Lay out the big goals, but give your team the freedom to figure out how to get there. Everyone has their own style of crushing it, so let them use their strengths to hit those targets. You’ll get better results and happier employees.

 

5. Team Up, Don’t Compete

 

Create a vibe where everyone’s rooting for each other, not competing. Make it easy for people to collab, brainstorm, and tackle problems together. When the team’s got a “we’re in this together” mindset, that’s where the magic happens.

 

6. Celebrate What Makes People Different

 

People do their best work when they feel seen and valued for who they really are. So, hype up the unique skills and personalities on your team. Diversity isn’t just a buzzword—it’s your secret sauce for success.

 

7. Make Feedback a Safe Zone

 

Feedback should be a tool for growth, not a reason to stress. Create a space where giving and getting feedback is no big deal—just part of how everyone gets better. When people aren’t scared of being judged, they’ll be more open and real.

 

8. Lead Like You’re One of the Crew

 

If you want an unstifled team, you’ve gotta walk the walk. Be approachable, listen up, and don’t act like you’ve got all the answers. When you show that you’re learning alongside your team, you create a culture where it’s cool to ask questions, throw out ideas, and be curious.

 

9. Make Work-Life Balance a Priority

 

If your team’s running on fumes, they’re not gonna be at their best. Encourage breaks, respect their time off, and support mental health. When people feel balanced and cared for, they’ll show up with more energy, creativity, and passion.

 

By leading with authenticity, trust, and a collaborative vibe, you’ll create a space where your team can be themselves, do their best work, and enjoy the ride. That’s the magic of an unstifled environment!

 

 

So some of you might be thinking, ohhh boy, this all makes sense but how do I correct the ship and get my team to trust that we have an unstifled environment. 

 

How to Win Back Your Team’s Trust and Build an Unstifled Vibe

 

1. Own Your Mistakes

 

First things first, if you messed up, own it. Be upfront with your team about what went wrong. Saying, “Yeah, I dropped the ball” goes a long way. Being real about the past shows you’re ready to make changes.

 

2. Listen Up

 

Don’t just talk the talk—listen. Ask your team what’s on their minds, what’s bothering them, or what’s holding them back. And when they speak? Actually hear them out. No interruptions, no defenses—just listen. That’s how you rebuild the connection.

 

3. Back It Up with Action

 

Don’t just make promises—show up. Follow through on the things you said you’d change. If your team sees you’re serious about fixing stuff, trust will start to flow back naturally.

 

4. Be Real with Them

 

Keep it 100% transparent. Don’t hide behind corporate talk—just be real. Whether it’s good news or bad, your team deserves to know what’s going on. Honesty helps kill off any “what’s happening behind the scenes” vibes.

 

5. Make Their Voices Count

 

Show your team that their input matters. Set up anonymous suggestions, hold open discussions—whatever it takes. When they know their voice is valued, they’ll feel more comfortable speaking up and sharing ideas.

 

6. Teamwork Makes the Dream Work

 

Shift from being the boss who controls everything to the leader who brings people together. Let your team collaborate across projects and departments. When people feel like they’re part of a bigger team effort, the trust starts to rebuild on its own.

 

7. Shout Out Their Wins, Own the L’s

 

If things go right, give your team the credit. If things go sideways, own it yourself. That shows you’ve got their backs, and they’ll start having yours too.

 

8. Be Consistent

 

Trust isn’t a one-time thing—you’ve gotta be consistent. Keep showing up, being fair, and staying approachable every day. Over time, your team will start to see the real shift in your leadership.

 

9. Invest in Their Growth

 

Show your team you’re in it for them. Offer training, mentoring, and growth opportunities. When they see you’re serious about their future, they’ll be more invested in what you’re building together.

 

10. Let Them Fail Without Fear

 

Make it clear that failure isn’t the end of the world—it’s part of the process. If your team knows they can take risks without getting shut down, they’ll start bringing bigger, bolder ideas to the table. Fail, learn, and come back stronger—that’s how you create magic.

 

By keeping it real, backing up your words with action, and fostering a space where people can be themselves, you’ll start winning back that trust and building an unstifled environment where your team can thrive.

​

Now, here we are. I’ve combined my love for storytelling with all these lessons in leadership to bring you this podcast. UnStifld is here to help leaders create the kind of spaces where their teams feel free to speak up, innovate, and just be themselves. And guess what? I want you to be a part of this conversation. Hit up unstifld.com—that’s unstifld spelled without the “E”—and drop your questions or topics. I’ll turn them into future episodes, and we’ll keep this thing interactive.

 

 

Thanks for listening, and remember: if your team’s feeling stifled, you’re going to end up with a whole lot of quiet rooms and loud minds. Let’s change that, together.