Last week, we gave you tips on how to make a business case for culture change. Did you try it yet? How did it go? As we were brainstorming for this week’s newsletter, we realized that part two is in order, and it’s all about how you present the amazing business case you’ve established. When HR professionals take this next step, we often see it go one of two ways.…
If you’re reading this, you’re probably standing in the middle of an impossible tug-of-war. Leadership wants data. Employees want meaning. And somehow, you’re supposed to turn feelings, trust, and respect into metrics that fit on a slide deck. But here’s the truth: culture doesn’t “just happen.” It’s built intentionally through organizational behavior, individual behavior, and leadership team behavior. And when it’s ignored, it shows up everywhere: turnover reports, exit interviews,…
Whenever we talk about culture, we often hear, “We’re too small to need culture work,” or “We’re a small company; we’ve got it covered.” But here’s the reality: you’re too small not to focus on culture. When you only have 20 or 50 people, for example, every interaction matters more – the impact is potentially greater. Consider the difference between throwing a rock into a large puddle and how the…
August is National Civility Month! Civility has recently climbed to the top of search trends, and with SHRM’s #CivilityAtWork initiative, the conversation is gaining real traction. But here’s the question: do you truly understand what civility means in the workplace? And do you know how to build a culture of civility? We’ve been building positive workplace cultures for nearly two decades, and civility has always been at the core of…
According to a Pew Research Center study, 79% of Americans interact with artificial intelligence (AI) almost constantly or several times a day. Gartner predicts that by 2026, 80% of enterprises will be using generative AI in some form. That means we’re not just working alongside AI. We’re living with it. Someone tagged me in a LinkedIn post recently, where she admitted to sometimes being rude to AI. I thought, “What…
At its core, civility is the foundation of a thriving culture. It shapes how people communicate, lead, resolve tension, and show up, especially when challenges arise. Civility doesn’t look the same everywhere, however. What feels respectful in one culture might come across as distant in another. Some teams value directness, while others lean toward diplomacy. Leaders bring their own styles. Norms vary from region to region. And still, no matter…
You already know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of workplace “drama.” Complaints about rudeness, tension between team members, and employees quietly disengaging are all part of the daily grind. You know it’s expensive. You know it’s draining for you to deal with it. What you may not know is just how much it’s happening. According to SHRM’s Civility Index, millions of acts of incivility occur…
Cultural missteps happen to everyone, even the most seasoned leaders and global brands. Recently, American Eagle launched a campaign featuring actress Sydney Sweeney with the tagline “Sydney Sweeney Has Great Genes.” The pun on “jeans” was meant to be playful, but it quickly sparked backlash. Critics pointed out that pairing the phrase with Sweeney’s blonde, blue-eyed image promoted eugenics and took us back some steps on the more body-positive movements…
Companies across industries are changing how they talk about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Not too long ago, DEI was splashed across annual reports, websites, and conference stages. Now? The phrase itself has become a political lightning rod, and many organizations are now rebranding under new labels. Instead of DEI, you’ll see “Inclusive Workplaces,” “Employee Experience,” “Wellbeing,” or “Belonging.” Why the shift? Because DEI has become a political football. Politicians,…
What was once applauded as both smart business and the right thing to do has suddenly become controversial. Yep, I’m talking about DEI. It’s disheartening to see that what was once celebrated is now being treated as expendable. But when inclusion takes a back seat, so do innovation, engagement, and retention. Because whether you call it DEI or not, your workforce needs well-being and psychological safety. People need to know…
We’ve all been there — sitting in a meeting where someone takes five minutes to explain what could’ve taken thirty seconds. Or maybe you’ve caught yourself doing it, adding just one more clarification, one more justification, one more “Does that make sense?” Over-explaining at work isn’t just a “female thing,” nor is condescending explanation (often called mansplaining) solely a “male thing.” Both behaviors are symptoms of something deeper. Patterns of…
Harvard Business Review recently published an article called Every Team Needs a Super-Facilitator. It’s a good read for anyone interested in building strong, inclusive, high-performing teams. I’d never heard this phrase before… have you? Nonetheless, the article highlights that the best teams aren’t led by superstars or lone geniuses—they’re led by people who know how to bring out the best in others. They’re called super-facilitators, and your team needs at…
[Caution: Random string of thought ahead. It leads to some good stuff though. Promise!] As a parent, I think a lot about the different roles I play in my kids’ lives. Sometimes I’m their biggest cheerleader, shouting “Yes!” from the rooftops. Other times I offer firm caution, or flat-out say “no.” And then there are moments when I say, “I don’t agree with your choice, but I’ll support it—because I…
According to DDI’s Global Leadership Forecast 2025, 80% of HR professionals lack confidence in their leadership pipelines. CEOs are just as concerned, ranking “developing the next generation of leaders” among their top four worries. Gen Z is shaking things up. They’re 1.7 times more likely than other generations to step away from leadership roles to protect their well-being. Over half say they’re purposely avoiding management, and nearly 70% see middle…
We all want a workplace where people feel seen, heard, and valued. But building that kind of culture takes more than good intentions and inspirational posters. It demands a clear-eyed look at how people behave, how leaders lead, and how the organization itself either supports or hinders inclusivity and respect. At Civility Partners, we know that a great workplace culture doesn’t evolve by accident. It requires structure, consistency, and alignment…
I just got an email from a spammer offering SEO help for my very old website — www.NoWorkplaceBullies.com. I hadn’t thought about that site in ages, so I typed in the link… and there it was. The original website I built the day I started my business — though it wasn’t called Civility Partners yet. Seeing it brought back a flood of memories. I was reminded that this has truly…
As I was writing my upcoming book, Navigating a Toxic Workplace For Dummies (Wiley), I was reminded about all the research on workplace bullying that indicates HR gets the blame for bullying, HR is not helpful, and, in fact, according to the research, most often makes things much worse for people who complain of bullying. I have always taken issue with this research because that’s just not been my experience.…
May is Mental Health Awareness Month. A good time to reflect on how work environments either support or sabotage employee well-being. Burnout is on the rise and employers’ role in addressing burnout has never been more important. If you’ve ever worked in a toxic culture, you know firsthand how it can chip away at your mental health. As an employer or leader, you play a critical role in creating a…
I’m just going to jump right in here and say that training alone won’t fix toxic behavior or turn around your toxic workplace. If it could, we’d all be ordering workshops like takeout. When positive workplace training topics are done right as part of a broader and more intentional culture strategy, however, it can be a catalyst. Training offers tools, vernacular, confidence, connections, and the opportunity to shift old patterns.…
May 1st is International Workers’ Day. Hooray! I don’t know about you, but I am so thankful and grateful for my overseas team members. They are the wheels that keep this company moving forward! Now that that’s out of my system, let’s talk about you. Whether you have remote international workers, or local workers who are remote or hybrid, this flexible work option can create some problems for your culture…
Earlier this year, I wrote a blog titled “DEI needed if hiring on merit is your goal” in response to Trump’s vow to “create a society that is blind to color and based on merit”. Based on the response I received, it quickly became clear that Trump isn’t the only one who thinks diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) is affirmative action. Somewhere along the way diversity became a dirty word.…
Use AI to build civility. SHRM reports that 66% of U.S. employees have experienced or witnessed incivility at work. And those moments of disrespect don’t stay isolated. They ripple. Research from Christine Porath at Georgetown University shows that incivility is contagious, dragging down performance, stifling creativity, and eroding collaboration. Meanwhile, HR teams are stretched thinner than ever. Gartner’s 2024 HR Priorities survey discusses the expanding scope of HR work and…
According to SHRM, 66% of U.S. employees have experienced or witnessed incivility in their workplace. The most common forms include addressing others disrespectfully and interrupting others while they are speaking. Meanwhile, a Deloitte survey reveals that 84% of respondents prioritize improving their well-being, with 74% considering it more important than advancing their career. This underscores the growing emphasis employees place on workplace well-being and respect. Let that sink in: Respect…
A few years back, we put together a playlist for inclusivity to play in the office and it quickly became one of our most popular blogs, proving that something as simple as music can strike a big chord (pun intended) as people find solidarity in it. So we thought, why not do it again? April is Diversity Month, and while the calendars are packed with initiatives, trainings, and panel discussions,…
Imagine this: A senior leader makes an offhanded, inappropriate remark in a team meeting. The room tenses, eyes drop, and a few uncomfortable chuckles fill the silence. No one speaks up. You’re caught off guard, unsure what to do. Later, someone from that meeting comes to you. Frustrated, upset. “Why didn’t anyone say anything? Why does this keep happening?” You’ve heard it before. Employees see the problem, but they don’t…
Whenever you search on Google or ask ChatGPT for something, you get an answer in a snap. An unintended result of this technology is that we expect immediate feedback from people, too. A lack of feedback kills productivity. In 2008, tech scholar Nicholas Carr raised a provocative question in a cover story for The Atlantic: “Is Google Making Us Stupid?” He argued that the ease of online searching and the…
If you’ve landed on this page, chances are you’re looking for answers. Maybe you’ve tried everything, or maybe you’re bracing yourself for a conversation you’d rather not have. Or you don’t know how to give feedback to a toxic worker about their behavior. Either way, we see you. Dealing with toxic workers isn’t just frustrating. It’s draining. We all love to talk about nurturing top performers, creating positive work environments,…
If you’ve ever questioned whether your workplace is truly toxic or if you’re just “overreacting,” you’re not alone. The truth is, if work feels unbearable day after day, it’s not a bad week—it’s a bigger problem and can be signs you’re in a toxic workplace. Research confirms that toxic workplaces aren’t just unpleasant; they take a measurable toll on employees and businesses alike. According to the MIT Sloan Management Review,…
Did you know that seven in ten U.S. workers say they would leave a job if they had a bad manager? That’s according to the latest findings of LinkedIn’s Workforce Confidence survey. Leaders who exhibit challenging behaviors don’t just cost their organizations talented employees, they also impact the bottom line and discourage future leaders from stepping into management roles. Working under a leader whose behavior is perceived as toxic feels…
Does your workplace feel like a daily battle for survival? Endless conflict, backstabbing, bullying, and leadership that turns a blind eye… Sound familiar? For too many professionals, the workplace isn’t a place of productivity and growth; it’s a source of anxiety and stress. Toxic behaviors, dysfunctional cultures, and unchecked hostility push employees to their breaking point, driving disengagement and high turnover. Ignoring toxic behavior is simply too costly, and no…
Trump has initiated a series of actions aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the federal government. On January 20, he signed Executive Order 14151, titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” directing the Office of Management and Budget to terminate all DEI-related mandates and programs across federal agencies. The following day, he issued Executive Order 14173, “Ending Illegal Discrimination and Restoring Merit-Based Opportunity,”…
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is revolutionizing the workplace, and HR functions are no exception. From recruitment to onboarding and even manager training, AI-based platforms are becoming the go-to solution for many organizations. These programs promise scalable, customizable courses with instant feedback and on-demand accessibility, an enticing prospect for companies seeking efficiency. But when it comes to developing effective managers, the stakes are too high for a one-size-fits-all approach. According to Gallup,…
When you’ve discovered a valuable resource or service that could benefit your organization, getting buy-in from leadership is critical. Use this email template to propose Civility Partners’ services to your boss. Simply customize the placeholders with your own insights and ideas. Email Template Dear [Boss’s Name], Recently, I participated in a webinar hosted by Civility Partners, titled _______________. During the session, I gained valuable insights, including insert profound nugget(s)…
SHRM’s Civility Index Research shows that U.S. workers collectively experience 223 million acts of incivility per day and U.S. organizations collectively lose about $2 billion per day in reduced productivity and absenteeism because of it. You’ve probably seen it firsthand: disagreements turn personal, tempers flare, and teams fracture. When a tense moment happens, you’re often brought in as the referee. You’re handed complaints that aren’t fully formed—“They’re difficult to work…
Next week marks the presidential inauguration, a time that often stirs strong emotions in the workplace. Excitement, disappointment, frustration, or even anxiety can find their way into daily interactions. Employees may consciously or unconsciously bring their political wins or losses into the office, and if left unchecked, these emotions can ripple through your organization, disrupting teamwork, productivity, and morale. According to SHRM’s Civility Index, 44% of U.S. workers believe the…
Happy New Year! Now that we’re all back to the grind, let’s talk about January’s reputation as the least productive month of the year. The post-holiday slump is real – teams return to work with noticeably less pep in their step. This time of year can feel like you’re trying to light a fire with damp wood. You’ve just wrapped up holiday celebrations, year-end reviews, and goal-setting for the new…
When SHRM launched their #CivilityAtWork initiative, it felt like a rallying cry for everything we believe in and have been fighting for these last 15 years. Respectful, thriving workplaces are the dream we all share, but let’s be real—getting there isn’t always easy. In fact, 70% of leaders admit they don’t know where to start. At Civility Partners, we’ve had the absolute joy of partnering with HR leaders who dared…
Culture can make or break a workplace. If that sounds dramatic, but consider this: 94% of executives and 88% of employees believe a strong workplace culture is critical to business success, yet 69% of employees say their organizations lack a culture where feedback is valued and encouraged. The gap between what’s desired and what’s delivered is glaring—and you’re often caught in the crossfire. You’ve felt the tension of juggling employee…
The holiday season may be billed as the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s often a minefield of conflicts waiting to happen. Holidays are deeply personal, sparking joy and nostalgia for some while leaving others feeling excluded or stressed. With 44% of Millennials and nearly 50% of Gen Z employees identifying as part of underrepresented groups—and these two generations now making up over 50% of the workforce –…
Elections are more than debates and opinions—they’re emotional whirlwinds that don’t end when the polls close. This year, presidential election stress is breaking records, with reported levels higher than in both 2020 and 2016. And the fallout lingers. A University of Nevada study found that moderate to severe anxiety and depression can persist for up to three months after an election. And, it’s the holidays. Trust & Will found that…