Some workplace behaviors are annoying but fixable. Others? Downright dangerous – and possibly unchangeable. In this Q&A episode, Dr. Renee Thompson tackles three real-world scenarios submitted by nurse leaders across the country:

How do you know whether someone’s behavior can be coached… or whether it’s time to performance-manage them out? Renee breaks down the difference between skill gaps and character flaws, and gives leaders the language to hold their teams accountable with professionalism and compassion.

If you’re dealing with a disruptive team member, this episode will give you practical tools – and the permission – to protect your team and your culture.

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.

What does it really take to build a healthy workforce culture — and keep it strong years later?

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Jenny Cordo, Director of Clinical Operations and a transformational nurse leader at Nicklaus Children’s Hospital, to talk about what a healthy work culture looks like in practice and how her team has sustained theirs long after implementing our system.

Jenny shares the behind-the-scenes story of how her team won the 2019 STTI Clinical Healthy Work Environment Award, the importance of empowering nurses at every level, and how shifting from “shared governance” to “professional governance” helped hardwire cultural excellence.

From actionable leadership insights to sustaining engagement through Magnet designations and beyond, this episode is filled with practical strategies — and a powerful reminder to be the nurse you want to work with.

Tune in to learn how to hardwire healthy habits, inspire professional ownership, and lead culture change that actually lasts.

Burnout is still very real in healthcare, and many nurses are carrying trauma from the pandemic — whether they realize it or not. 

In this episode, I sit down with Keith Carlson, nurse career coach and host of The Nurse Keith Show, to talk about how burnout shows up today, how to begin healing, and what support looks like — whether through coaching, therapy, or small moments of joy.

Keith shares his personal experience with burnout and how his late wife helped him take the first step toward change. We also talk about how to assess what’s within your control, when it’s okay to walk away, and how something as simple as a “glimmer list” can help you reconnect to what matters.

Tune in for honest insight, practical strategies, and the reminder that healing is possible — one step at a time.

Navigating workplace dynamics can be challenging, especially when addressing incivility, leading a team, or handling difficult conversations.

In this episode, Dr. Renee Thompson discusses strategies for fostering a healthier work culture and handling workplace challenges, including using a left-brain/right-brain approach and having "lens conversations." She also advises repeating unprofessional remarks back to the person, questioning their intent, or disengaging to maintain composure.

Tune in for practical strategies to foster a healthier work culture, communicate effectively as a leader, and confidently respond to unprofessional behavior!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

Creating a culture of gratitude and visibility is essential for fostering a healthy and respectful healthcare work environment. 

In this episode, Paula Schmidt shares her approach to fostering a positive work culture through gratitude, visibility, and open communication. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing employees, addressing workplace concerns through staff rounding and newsletters, and maintaining transparency in decisions on key issues like staffing, space, and compensation.

Tune in and learn how to start small and implement these strategies within your own team to foster a positive and supportive work culture!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

What does it take to create a truly safe, supportive, and accessible workplace in healthcare where leaders are present, staff feel valued, and workplace violence is actively prevented?

In this episode, Stephanie Gedeon discusses leadership accessibility, workplace safety, and fostering a positive work culture through relationship-building, streamlined meetings, and staff engagement. Stephanie emphasized the importance of using a structured framework like Pathway to Excellence and leading with genuine care to create a safe, efficient, and supportive work environment.

Tune in to uncover the leadership strategies that drive a thriving work culture!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

Emotional intelligence is a critical skill, far exceeding technical intelligence in importance for career advancement and team effectiveness. 

In this episode, Dr. Mitch Kusy explores the growing importance of emotional intelligence in healthcare, emphasizing interprofessional team building, leadership skills like boundary reinforcement, and the dynamics between teams. He also breaks down the key components of emotional intelligence (self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, and relationship management) while highlighting strategies for skill development and the critical role of empathy in coaching and decision-making.

Tune in and learn how to cultivate emotional intelligence within yourself and your team to foster a healthier and more productive work environment!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

Confidence, clear communication, and professionalism are essential for navigating complex healthcare leadership challenges.

In this episode, Dr. Renee Thompson offers practical solutions to nursing leadership challenges, such as workplace disrespect and managing difficult team members. She emphasizes the importance of assertive communication, professional boundaries, and confident leadership to strengthen team dynamics. 

Dr. Renee Thompson shares strategies for nurse managers to address leadership challenges, foster respect, manage conflicts, and improve team dynamics!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/

By fostering ownership and addressing challenges constructively, leaders can create a drama-free workplace where individuals feel empowered and engaged.

In this episode, Dennis McIntee highlights that workplace drama often stems from a lack of ownership and "choice poverty" and emphasizes the importance of empowering teams by shifting language and viewing emotions as raw material to be processed. Leaders can reduce drama by coaching thinking instead of feelings, encouraging self-directed problem-solving, confronting issues with care to build trust and clarity, and by practicing self-awareness and accountability, as team dynamics often reflect a leader's blind spots.

Tune in for game-changing insights on taking ownership, coaching effectively, and creating a culture where collaboration and clarity replace conflict and chaos!

Click this link to the show notes, transcript, and resources: https://healthyworkforceinstitute.com/podcast-episodes/