Do you ever wonder how a workplace turns toxic?

It doesn’t happen all at once, and it doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Like a pot that slowly boils there are a lot of steps along the way where you can stop the chain reaction of events before the workplace turns toxic.

When blame, exaggeration, and generalizations are used in a conflict communication gets lost. Generalizing is another way to label and dismiss a person or a topic.

Exaggeration inflames what may otherwise be no big deal, into a conflict. 

When identifying errors turns into a blame game, that is where the conversation ends.

Tune in and discover what to be on the lookout for to make sure that your workplace doesn't slide down the slippery slope and wind up TOXIC.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• Its by inches we travel miles
• What to be on the lookout for
• How to address minor issues before they become major
• Intergenerational communication
• Toxic workplaces
• Where it all starts
• How coworkers make it worse

Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group”

Work with Lara:

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/ 

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Resources:

10 TIPS for Dealing with Difficult People

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

Our best self makes all the plans but she doesn't always show up to implement them

The world is full of information, a plethora of knowledge is just a Bing search away, psych, we all use google. Yet with all this information at our fingertips, we can know a thing, understand it, but when it comes to implementing, it’s not as simple, we can have a hard time putting that information, that knowledge into practice. 

So what do you need to make sure that you, and your team, walk the walk, and get implementing?

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• What sinks a team
• Learning vs knowing
• What three things you need before you implement
• The $325 billion dollar business getting in your way?

Join the Difficult Happens Facebook group  “Community Happens Group”

Work with Lara:

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/ 

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Resources:

10 TIPS for Dealing with Difficult People

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

This is a juicy episode filled with the way’s that you can use stories in your everyday work life, from the boardroom to the stage. Carol and I talk about everything from our personal struggles and successes to the DNA of the feminine, from speaker hijackers to why Emma should stop watching Law and Order SVU.

Carol tells us how she uses the three-act story structure and the Hero’s journey when working with clients. There are lots of free giveaways on dealing with conflict and a strategic speaking guide. 

What you’ll hear in this podcast:

• Stories help us see ourselves in others experiences
• Stories help us ‘rewrite history’ so that we can see a better way
• We don’t know how our personal story can impact others and the work that we do
• Throughout history it was dangerous for Women to speak their truth
• How recognizing patterns can help your storytelling
• Do an after-action review post speaking engagement, guest podcast episode, board meeting etc.
• Practice and repeat you message as often as possible to become more comfortable
• Visualize your environment
• Use skills practice and reflection to become a better speaker

Resources:

10 TIPS for Dealing with Difficult People

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

Work with Lara:

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

Well, some difficult S*it just happened.

In 176 weeks of recording the difficult happens podcast, I have never missed a publication. 

It’s time for me to model the very behavior I talk about. We will all go through some … stuff in our lives and I want you to do the same when you encounter some really difficult stuff,  take care of yourself and your family.

Next week, I will be back and I will be combating toxic, manipulative, bullying behavior head-on! 

Work with Lara:

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/ 

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

Deep thoughts by Jack Handy (SNL)

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

Everyone, at one point in their life, has experienced a compliment that did not sit right. Either it was way too personal, or it felt a little backhanded.

That's why we're tackling whether or not compliments are toxic!

When we break down compliments, we can see that it depends on a variety of factors; Who is giving the compliment, the context, and the motive. When it comes to genuine compliments, you know it when you see it. 

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• Compliments
• Gaslighting and Narcissism
• Genuine compliments
• Overly familiar compliment
• Sideways compliments
• Backhanded compliments
• Awkward compliments
• Fishing compliments
• Toxic or Not?

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                       

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/ 

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

Squad

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

"Knowledge is when you learn something new every day." We learn learn learn all day long but do we take enough time to apply? I love to learn, and learning the concepts is one thing, but implementing is another.

This brings us to the one thing that we all need that we cannot do without. Something paramount to implementing better ways of communication, and that is empathy.

What is empathy to you?

Empathy is the ability to understand what other people feel emotionally and see things from their perspective. Empathy is important because it is a precursor to any conversation. However, there is more to empathy than meets the eye, especially for business leaders.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• Learning
• Implementing
• Empathy
• Will Smith: Fault vs. Responsibility
• Empathy and Accountability
• Ways to show empathy

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                                                                    

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

You Tube: Will Smith - Fault vs. Responsibility

Squad

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

Have you ever found yourself engulfed in a project, focused on the little details like font or style, and before you realize it, hours have passed? 

Guess what? You were distracted. Distracted does not always mean bouncing from one task to another or getting lost on Facebook when you should be working on a report. You can be hyper-focused on a task but be focused on something that does not serve your end goal. 

In the end, it doesn't matter why you were distracted. The effect is the same. 

Amber Hawley from the Distracted Entrepreneur Podcast joins us to talk about her personal and professional experience helping distracted entrepreneurs and those with ADHD. 

With the happenings of the last year, a lot of people are distracted. Many women are finding it difficult to focus with the children at home more, and the change in routine leading to a greater number of burnouts. In this episode, we break down systems and structures, boxes and labels, and discuss ways to combat burnout.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• Being distracted and ADD
• What distraction looks like
• Buttons and triggers
• Personality Traits
• Types of ADD
• Time-Blindness
• Shiny Object Syndrom
• Breaks and burnout

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                       

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/ 

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

Squad

Mentioned in the Podacast:

16 Personalities

The Power of When - Michael Breus

7 Types of ADD

Psychology in Seattle - Kirk Honda

Guest Resources:

The Easily Distracted Entrepreneur

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

When you think of someone who's being assertive, what comes to mind? Do you see someone who is direct and confident, or do you see someone who is confrontational and forceful?

Have you ever been accused of being “aggressive”?

Was it a valid critique or was it an attempt to shut you down? Assertive communication is often confused with being aggressive by those who do not like what you are saying, but they are NOT the same.

Toxic workplaces, toxic relationships happen one breach at a time, We will be discussing how assertive is often misinterpreted as aggressive and is used against women and others lower in a business hierarchy. Learn about different communication styles and whether or not someone is being assertive or aggressive.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• What is assertive
• Assertive vs. Aggressive
• Four types of Communication Styles
• How words change
• Toxic or Not

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                                                                   

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

YouTube

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

In a world that is increasingly growing more visual, how do you keep up?

Younger and younger generations are becoming more socially competent in understanding differences in the "true-self" and "Instagram-self," but what about information spread online?

86% of people are now what is known as a  "visual learner." Infographics and other visual aids are a great way to absorb information. However, as we look at older generations, we see a problem where we have not kept up on our education with the vast evolution of the internet and are trusting of data visualizations that might have completely false data.

Amy Balliett of Killer Visual Strategies joins us today to discuss what you need to know as a consumer, entrepreneur, marketer, and leader. From best practices to statistics, this is one podcast you don't want to miss.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• Social media competency
• TikTok
• Recommended tools and websites
• Mixed Fonts
• Stock Content
• Twitter star vs. heart
• Augmented Reality
• Amy Balliett

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                                                                   

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

Guest Resources:

Killer Visual Strategies

Amy Balliett LinkedIn

Book- Killer Visual Strategies: Engage Any Audience, Improve Comprehension, and Get Amazing Results Using Visual Communication

Websites:

Canva

Dribbble

Netflix Shows:

The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel

Hanna

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone

Do you consider yourself a loyal person? Do you expect loyalty from your friends?

On this episode of Toxic or Not, we are tackling loyalty. Many see loyalty as a black and white issue. You're either loyal or you're not, when in reality, there is a lot of room for the shades of gray.

 I conducted a (very unscientific) poll gathering information on whether people perceived loyalty as a positive or a negative, and the results were surprising. 

Older generations were most likely to have a positive association with the concept of expecting loyalty from others. In comparison, younger generations had a very negative association with the word.

There is a dark side to loyalty. Here is what you need to know about when loyalty turns toxic.

What you’ll hear on today’s episode:

• What is Loyalty
• Generational Poll
• When loyalty is toxic
• When loyalty is not toxic

Work with Lara:

Apply for an On-air Coaching Call!

Complimentary Breakthrough Consultation

Got a Question? Comment? Email [email protected]

Corporate Training

Difficult Happens by Lara Currie                                                                   

Difficulthappens.com/workwithme/

Resources:

Series on Manipulation

Series on Assessments

Series on Conflict Personality-Types

YouTube

© Lara Currie 2021

Show Intro music by Scott Holmes Music

Listen for free on the go with any one of these players for both Android & iPhone