Civility Matters: Conversations on Rudeness, Respect and Workplace Culture
Civility Matters is a podcast about workplace civility, incivility, rudeness and the human side of leadership. Hosted by psychologist and speaker John O’Brien, the show features guests from business, healthcare, education, and public life who explore why rudeness happens, how it affects people and organizations, and what we can do to build more respectful workplaces and communities. Each episode offers research-based insight and practical steps for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone working to reduce toxic behavior and strengthen trust. The show provides a regular reminder that how we treat each other at work isn’t a soft skill, but rather...
Dr. Ann Bowers Evangelista On Civility and Leading Without Burning Out or Blowing Up
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Dr. Ann Bowers Evangelista joined for a conversation on civility, self-awareness, and sustainable leadership, drawing on her experience as an endurance athlete to offer a unique framework for navigating workplace challenges. She explores how the discipline, resilience, and pacing strategies that fuel athletic endurance can help leaders stay composed, prevent burnout, and build healthier workplace culture.
What we covered:
Why self-awareness is foundational to effective leadership and improving workplace cultureHow endurance athlete strategies translate to sustainable leadership practicesWhy civility is an essential leadership skill, not just a nice-to-haveHow...Colt Briner on Purpose, Workplace Conflict, Toxic Culture, and Difficult Leadership
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In this episode of Civility Matters, Colt Briner joins us for a discussion about purpose, workplace conflict, toxic culture, and the leadership behaviors that undermine trust and performance. Briner, author of “The Race to Relevance” and co-creator of the “Wayfinding” system, discusses how purpose helps people navigate work and life with greater clarity and alignment. We explore how rudeness, poor communication, and unhealthy power dynamics show up in teams and why addressing them early matters for both people and organizations.
Colt also shares practical strategies for leaders, HR professionals, and managers who want...
Dr. Rob Fazio on Workplace Incivility, Toxic Workplace Culture, and Bullying
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In this episode of Civility Matters, performance psychologist and author Dr. Rob Fazio explores how workplace incivility, bullying, and rudeness erode trust, performance, and well-being. We look at the psychology of power, control, and fear, and discuss why abusive leadership and so-called “tough” management often create a toxic workplace culture. We discuss how to recognize early warning signs of a toxic culture, the hidden costs of tolerating bullies, and the risks for both individuals and organizations.
Dr. Fazio shares practical strategies for leaders, HR professionals, and managers who want to strengthen workp...
Dr. Audrey Tang on Toxic Talk, Workplace Incivility, and Leadership and Respect
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Toxic Talk, Tired Teams features Dr. Audrey Tang and Dr. John O’Brien in a conversation about toxic talk, workplace incivility, and the ways unhealthy communication patterns damage workplace culture. They examine how gossip, emotional fatigue, and negative communication drain energy, weaken trust, and contribute to toxic workplace dynamics. This live session offers practical ideas for leaders, HR professionals, and business audiences who want to improve workplace communication, strengthen emotional intelligence at work, and create healthier relationships in the workplace.
Dr. Tang's Bio:
Dr Audrey Tang is a Leadership trai...
Dr. Dana Ackley on Emotional Intelligence, Rudeness, and Workplace Conflict
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Civility Matters welcomes psychologist and emotional intelligence expert Dr. Dana Ackley for a conversation about rudeness, workplace conflict, and toxic polarization. Together, we explore how emotions shape reactions, fuel conflict, and can also be used to build empathy, better decisions, and braver conversations across differences. Dr. Ackley shares practical tools for recognizing triggers, managing impulses, and improving workplace communication in divided environments where respect and connection are often strained.
Dr. Ackley explains emotional intelligence as the intelligent use of emotion, sharing practical tools for recognizing triggers, managing impulses, and humanizing “the ot...
