Summary
Civility isn’t just a nice-to-have — it’s a must for creating healthy work environments.
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Cynthia Clark, Founder of Civility Matters, Professor Emeritus at Boise State University, to unpack the evolving definition of civility in healthcare and beyond. From decades of research and a global concept analysis, Cindy shares what’s changed — and what hasn’t — when it comes to understanding incivility, how perception shapes our experiences at work, and why leadership plays a vital role in setting the tone. We dig into the power of emotional intelligence, co-creating behavioral norms, and Cindy’s model: the Continuum of Workplace Aggression. And yes, we even talk about eye-rolling.
If you’re a healthcare leader trying to figure out how to address disrespectful behaviors, you’ll want to tune in to learn real-world strategies that you can implement today.
About Dr. Cynthia Clark:
Dr. Cynthia Clark is Founder of Civility Matters, Professor Emeritus at Boise State University, and a world-renowned expert on fostering civility in work and learning environments. A nurse/therapist by background, she’s developed theory-driven interventions and empirical assessments used in 32 countries. Dr. Clark’s work has transformed how we understand and tackle incivility — and how we can build cultures of respect and belonging. She’s a fellow of the American Academy of Nursing and the NLN Academy of Nursing Education, and a member of the ANA Professional Panel on Incivility and Bullying in Nursing.
Things You’ll Learn
- Why civility is a daily choice we make in every interaction
- The surprising power of subtle behaviors like eye-rolling
- What the Platinum Rule means for inclusive leadership
- How to co-create team charters and behavioral norms
- Why perception is at the heart of civility (and incivility)
- What the Continuum of Workplace Aggression teaches us about low-risk vs. high-risk behaviors
- The critical role leaders play in modeling civility and holding teams accountable
Resources
- Email Dr. Clark: [email protected]
- Learn more about Civility Matters: boisestate.edu/research-ott/civility-matters
- Connect with Dr. Clark on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/cynthia-clark-rn-phd-anef-faan
- Get 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/33-ways-podcast/
- Renee’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Click Here.
- Renee’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too!: Click Here.
- eLearning: Eradicating Bullying & Incivility for Leaders: Learn more here
- If you want to enter a question for Renee to answer on the podcast, please email [email protected].
Disclosure: The host may be compensated for linking to other sites or for sales of products we link to. As an Amazon Associate, Coffee Break earns from qualifying purchases.
