Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a Time

EP 112: How to Address Bullying and Incivility: Key Lessons From Chapters 1–5 of Enough!


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In this episode of the Coffee Break Podcast, Dr. Renee Thompson takes listeners behind the scenes of her newly updated book Enough! Eradicate Bullying and Incivility in Healthcare: Strategies for Frontline Leaders. This is Part 1 of a two-part series where she unpacks why she rewrote the book, what’s changed since the original 2019 release, and what leaders can immediately take away from the first five chapters.

Renee shares vulnerable moments from her early leadership career, explains the “hidden virus” harming healthcare teams, and walks through mindset shifts and strategies leaders need to stop normalizing disruptive behaviors. She also covers the importance of awareness, the power of vision and behavioral expectations, and why confronting overt incivility is both essential and doable when leaders have the right tools.

Listeners will walk away with practical strategies they can begin using today to address disruptive behaviors and foster a healthier, more professional work culture.

About Dr. Renee Thompson

Dr. Renee Thompson is a leading authority on creating healthy work cultures by eliminating bullying and incivility in healthcare. With more than 31 years of experience as a clinical nurse, educator, quality manager, and executive leader, she has become one of the most sought-after experts on workplace culture. As CEO and Founder of the Healthy Workforce Institute, Renee works with healthcare organizations around the world to equip leaders with the tools they need to cultivate professional, respectful, and supportive teams.

Renee is a published author, award-winning speaker, and one of only 30 nurses worldwide to earn the Certified Speaking Professional designation. She also serves on The Joint Commission’s Workplace Violence Technical Advisory Panel and has been recognized globally for her thought leadership and advocacy.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode

  • Why Renee chose to revise and expand her original 2019 book rather than write a new one

  • The personal story in Chapter 1 that shaped her mission to eradicate bullying

  • Why leaders must stop normalizing deviant behaviors

  • How disruptive behavior threatens patient safety and fuels turnover

  • A practical approach for having honest behavior-focused conversations with employees

  • How to create a compelling vision and translate it into clear behavioral expectations

  • Why scripting works — and how leaders can begin addressing overt behaviors with confidence

  • What to expect in Part 2 of this series as she explores the remaining chapters

    Links & Resources

    • Connect with and follow Dr. Renee Thompson on LinkedIn

    • Learn more about the Healthy Workforce Institute on their LinkedIn and website

    • Download your copy of our 33 Scripts to Address Disruptive Behavior When You Don’t Know What to Say

    • Check out Renee Thompson’s newly revised book and Amazon #1 Best Seller Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility: Strategies for Front Line Leaders on Amazon  here! And on the website here

    • Check out Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! Strategies to Protect and Bully-proof Yourself at Work here!

    • Learn more about the Eradicating Bullying & Incivility eLearning Program here!

      Have a question for Renee?

      Email us at [email protected] to have your leadership question featured in an upcoming Q&A episode!

      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.

      Liked this episode? Rate, review, and share with your colleagues. Your support helps us reach more healthcare leaders working to create better work environments.

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      Coffee Break: Breaking the Cycle of Bullying in Healthcare, One Cup at a TimeBy Healthy Workforce Institute

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