Christine Porath, a Professor at Georgetown University and author of 'Mastering Civility,' dives into the pervasive issue of incivility in the workplace. She explains how disrespect not only hampers employee morale but also impacts business performance. Porath shares actionable strategies for fostering civility, encouraging open communication, and enhancing feedback among colleagues. With insights from her research, she highlights the economic benefits of a kind work environment, urging listeners to embrace small acts of kindness for a thriving workplace.
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The Cost of Incivility
Incivility negatively impacts the bottom line by causing decreased performance, creativity, and helpfulness.
It also leads to high turnover, especially among talented employees, which is costly.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Dealing with Incivility
Address workplace incivility by informing someone who can help, like HR.
Most incivility stems from lack of self-awareness, not malice, so feedback is crucial.
volunteer_activism ADVICE
Giving Feedback
Give feedback in team settings or one-on-one, asking permission to offer critiques.
Frame feedback positively, focusing on good intentions and desired improvement.
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Christine Porath's "Mastering Civility" explores the impact of incivility in the workplace, offering practical strategies to foster a more respectful and productive environment. The book examines the detrimental effects of rudeness and disrespect on employee morale, performance, and overall business success. Porath provides evidence-based insights into how seemingly small acts of incivility can escalate into significant problems. She offers actionable steps for individuals and organizations to cultivate a culture of civility, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness, communication, and creating clear expectations for respectful behavior. The book's ultimate goal is to help create workplaces where employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work.
Mastering Community
Christine Porath
In 'Mastering Community', Christine Porath explores the importance of community in overcoming isolation and improving mental health. She provides actionable steps for creating positive communities by uniting people, sharing information, promoting autonomy, and fostering respect. The book draws on research across various industries and offers uplifting case studies to inspire community growth in different settings.
The Rhythm of Life
Living Every Day with Passion and Purpose
Matthew Kelly
In 'The Rhythm of Life,' Matthew Kelly challenges readers to reevaluate their definition of success and happiness. He argues that who you become is more important than what you do or what you have. The book helps readers discover their legitimate needs, deepest desires, and unique talents, and introduces the concept of 'the-best-version-of-yourself.' Kelly emphasizes the power of choice, the importance of courage, and the need to focus on being rather than having or doing. He also critiques the prevalent lifestyle of noise, speed, and perpetual activity, advocating for a life of passion, purpose, and energy.
Radical Candor
Be a Kick-ass Boss Without Losing Your Humanity
Kim Scott
Radical Candor by Kim Scott offers a practical approach to management by emphasizing the importance of caring personally and challenging directly. The book argues that effective managers must find a balance between being empathetic and providing clear, honest feedback. Scott draws from her experiences at Google and Apple to provide actionable lessons on building strong relationships, giving feedback, and creating a collaborative work environment. The book introduces the concept of 'radical candor' as the sweet spot between obnoxious aggression and ruinous empathy, and provides tools and strategies for managers to implement this approach in their daily work[1][2][5].
Have you ever had a rude co-worker or boss — or have you ever been told that the “jerk” is you? Today’s guest, Christine Porath, researches incivility in the workplace. She’s found that if you want to have a thriving business full of happy and talented employees, there is no room for any kind of disrespect. In this episode, she shares insights from her research and suggests ways anyone—bosses, managers, and employees alike—can up the civility at work. Christine teaches at Georgetown University's McDonough School of Business and is the author of “Mastering Civility: A Manifesto for the Workplace” and co-author of “The Cost of Bad Behavior: How Incivility is Damaging Your Business and What to Do About It”. She has written for the Harvard Business Review, the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, McKinsey Quarterly and the Washington Post. Her new book, “Mastering Community” is forthcoming (Grand Central Publishing, 2022). To learn more about "How to Be a Better Human," host Chris Duffy, or find footnotes and additional resources, please visit: go.ted.com/betterhuman
How to Be a Better Human 
