Drawing from their shared experience in higher education, Karen and Nancy lead specialized workshops that address workplace bullying issues unique to academia. Their sessions provide practical insights, tailored strategies, and meaningful discussions to help institutions foster healthier, more respectful work environments.

Our Civility in the Workplace workshop is designed to foster a respectful, inclusive, and positive environment for all employees, promoting healthy interactions and effective communication across all levels of an organization. The workshop focuses on building awareness around the importance of civility and voice and defines the four (4) types of organizational climate present in many organizations.  Participants will learn practical tools for navigating difficult conversations, managing conflicts constructively, and fostering mutual respect among colleagues.Ultimately, the goal is to create a workplace where employees feel valued, supported, and motivated to work together to achieve common goals in a safe, healthy, and inclusive atmosphere.

Firing a bully from the workplace is a significant and often difficult decision for any manager or leader, but the aftermath can be just as challenging. In this course, we will explore the crucial steps to take once the decision has been made. Open communication is key, so managers should provide a space for employees to discuss their feelings, concerns, and experiences without fear of retaliation. Clear and consistent messaging is essential to explain why the action was taken, without disclosing confidential details, to prevent gossip and rumors from taking over. Furthermore, this is a critical moment to reinforce the company’s commitment to a respectful, inclusive, and supportive culture. Managers should be prepared to offer guidance on rebuilding trust within the team and encouraging positive collaboration moving forward.

Our Crucial Conversations/Confrontation workshop is designed to explore how to navigate these critical discussions with skill and confidence, ensuring productive outcomes even in the most challenging situations. Key strategies will include creating a safe environment where all parties feel heard and respected, understanding how to unbundle a problem and learning how to conduct a “gap” discussion.The course will emphasize the importance of finding common ground and maintaining mutual respect, Crucial conversations are not just about what is said but how it’s said, and leaders who can guide these conversations effectively can prevent misunderstandings, resolve conflicts, and foster a more collaborative and respectful workplace culture. By the end of this course, participants will have the tools to turn these challenging moments into opportunities for growth, connection, and alignment.

Nancy Finazzo confronted workplace bullying and successfully transitioned out of a toxic work environment. In addition, she went on to earn a PhD. Her qualitative dissertation focused on the lived experiences of women who were targets of workplace bullying by other women. She is available to consult and mentor individuals who have recently experienced workplace bullying, offering practical guidance, resources, and support to help them move forward.

Karen and Nancy tailor training to address the unique challenges of your workplace culture. Using a variety of training strategies, we guide your teams in collaborative discussions and role-playing exercises, preparing them to confidently engage in crucial conversations about workplace bullying and other toxic behaviors.