Empowered Communication

In Episode 30, Meredith goes into simple strategies for influencing other people in toxic workplace situations, conflict, and pressure. Often we think that if we share our perspective or our expertise, other people will listen and learn from that, but the realities of having true impact or influence are often much different. In this episode, Meredith talks about the three strategies we can all implement that make a difference to de-escalate and engage people in ways that lead to true influence. If you’ve ever felt like you were being completely reasonable in clarifying your experience and seen it lead to a conversation you had no idea was coming, this one is for you. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here

In Episode 29, Meredith talks about common workplace situations that undermine confidence and what we can do about them. Externally, no-win situations that are repeated and chronic can undermine our confidence at work, and there is also an internal factor of the thinking that we absorb that can erode confidence. While most of us think of confidence as being available once we’ve built so many skills and so much experience that we are certain about what the outcome of our actions will be, this episode questions that definition and provides and alternative definition that we’ve seen help build unconditional confidence. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz 

In Episode 29, Meredith talks about how to build allies in a conflict situation and find supports. We often believe that conflict is resolved through convincing other people to change their minds, but this episode goes through a few reasons that does not work. After we create safety in a conflict situation, understanding the resources, leverage, and supports we already have can help us identify the gaps that could ultimately transform the conflict into something safe and healthy. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz 

In Episode 28, Meredith talks about the common narrative that people need to “toughen up” at work and stop being so sensitive. What is the balance between toughening up and creating more safety in a workplace? In order for us to fully show up and even access all of our brains to find creative solutions to conflict, we need to be able to establish some safety. On the other hand, sometimes we do make intentional choices to compromise our boundaries because it’s worth it. This episode dives into those situations and how they commonly play out in workplaces. 

For more information on the rudeness study, visit the NIH page here.

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz

In Episode 27, Meredith talks about the Dark Triad and how dealing with Dark Triad dynamics can impact toxic workplace conflict. The Dark Triad is a psychological theory of personality, first named by Delroy L. Paulhus and Kevin M. Williams in 2002. It describes narcissism, sociopathy, and Machiavellian behavior. When Dark Triad dynamics are involved, simple conflict alchemy process does not work, and so we have to engage the pillars of Empowered Communication to transform toxic conflict dynamics into safety and support for our careers. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz

More on the Dark Triad here.

More on Internal Family Systems Therapy here.

More on shadow work here.

Check out Us, by Terrance Real, for more on Relational Life Therapy.

In Episode 26, Meredith describes the concept of Conflict Alchemy. Most people are raised to believe that our options in a conflict situation are to prove that we are right, avoid conflict, defend ourselves, explain our intentions, or bully people into siding with us. While explaining ourselves and clarifying can work in misunderstandings, when there is true conflict based on different perspectives, it can often lead to cycles of argument or even abuse. Conflict Alchemy is the process of transforming toxic conflict into something supportive and safe for our lives and careers. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz

In Episode 25, Meredith talks with leadership coach Amy Latta about the principles of coaching. Both Amy and Meredith have had experiences of coaching being incredibly powerful and even life-saving, but also seen coaching weaponized. Is coaching toxic or healthy? 

Anti-Racism resources mentioned:

Caste, by Isabella Wilkerson

White Feminism, by Koa Beck

So you want to talk about race, by Ijeoma Oluo

Get involved with the NAACP here.

Anti-racism educators:

Weeze

Trudy LeBron

Rachel Cargle

Ashani Mfuko

Follow Amy Latta:

Amy’s Website: https://www.amylatta.com/

Instagram: @iamamylatta

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amythameslatta

In Episode 24, Meredith talks with acupuncturist and healing expert, Luke Adler, about toxic masculinity and male loneliness. When issues of gender discrimination in the workplace come up, “toxic masculinity” can be a buzzword, but what does it mean? In this episode Meredith and Luke explore what causes toxic masculinity and toxic femininity and how we can encounter gender in a healthier way. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz

Check out the Luke Adler Healing Podcast 

In Episode 23, Meredith interviews equity investigation expert, Andrea Bibee, about workplace investigations, alternatives to investigation, and what to expect if you are thinking about engaging in a workplace investigation. 

How Toxic Is Your Work Environment? Take the quiz here: https://erisresolution.com/healthquiz

To learn more about whether investigation is right for your situation, download a copy of Meredith's book, The Inclusive Leader's Guide to Healthy Workplace Culture. 

TW: extreme racial violence

In Episode 22, Meredith interviews a past client, Hogon Mulgrave, who experienced extreme racial violence at work and has gone on to run a successful generator company. They reflect on what it takes to engage in recovery related to workplace trauma and the barriers to engaging in healing. 

Learn more about Wrico Generators here https://wricogenerators.com/