This presentation shows a surprising tool that is not often used in dealing with toxicity in the workplace: strategic use of qualities, or virtues to improve difficult situations. Link for the tip sheet is: https://d2saw6je89goi1.cloudfront.net/uploads/digital_asset/file/335678/Toxic_workplace_key_themes_from_incidents.pdf

1. The (secret) tool
To transforming toxic
workplaces

2. Your presenter!
Marie
Gervais, PhD.
CEO, Shift
Management Inc.

3. Shift Management
Shift provides
online courses and coaching for:
 Newcomers to find hidden jobs
 Front line supervisors to learn to lead
 Employers to develop intercultural
communication and conflict resolution
skills

4. I care deeply about people’s
work and career happiness

5. And I want to see
you succeed!

6. What
Chat box please…

7. Today
I will
Cover…
The secret…
Is using
the power of virtues
Toxic workplaces
basics versus virtues
basics
Using the language of
virtues
How you can impact the
workplace
Two sets of strategies
(and a handout)
How you can work
with me

8. What is a toxic
Workplace?
Here are some
common themes…
Exclusion
No communication
Prejudice
Harassment, undermining
Bullying
No listening
Non-cooperation
Passive-aggressive behaviours’
Making fun of others
Racial slurs
Incompetence – then diversion to blame others

9. What’s your story…
About toxic
Workplaces?

10. Highest numbers of toxicity behaviours
71% 49%
harassment
exclusion
http://blog.idonethis.com/ignored-at-work/

11. University of British Columbia professor Sandra
Robinson:
“Ostracism actually leads people to feel more
helpless [than bullying], like they’re not worthy of
any attention at all.”

12. When employees feel left out, they are more
likely to feel detached from their work and even
quit. It’s an issue that remote companies are
uncovering slowly.
Most managers
don’t see exclusion. If they do, they ignore it.

13. Incident themes YOU shared with me!
Aggression
Impersonal
and cold
Exclusion
No
promotion
Prejudice,
harassment
Micro-
aggression,
hidden bias
Sabotage
Favourit-
ism

15. Today
I will cover
two (tip
sheet at
the end)

16. My
Recent toxic
EXCLUSION
(story…)

17. Be still.
Feel the emotion
Allow yourself to
meet the emotion
Let it go.
1st
The emotional piece

18. Now
For some
VIRTUES

19. IMAGES
SAY MORE
than a thousand words

20. You Can’ Wait for
Inspiration.
You Have To Go After It
With a Club
- Jack London
The virtues
project:
Linda
Kavelin
Popov

21. Introducing
The Virtues Project

22. Reflect on the lesson
In this difficulty
Consider how the 5
virtues can help
Set the intention to
practice. Starting
now.
2nd
The daily virtues pick
(examples next!)

23. Core virtue explanation Affirmation

24. Guiding virtue explanation Affirmation

25. Strength virtue explanation Affirmation

26. Challenge virtue explanation Affirmation

27. Sustaining virtue explanation Affirmation

29. How
this looks
IN REAL
LIFE
(toxic
leadership
story…)

30. PROTECTING
YOURSELF:
Emotional
awareness
Virtues pick
What’s the
lesson?
Inspirational

31. Being
Grateful
“BE generous in
prosperity,
BE
thankful
in adversity”

32. How can you use virtues in
your role at work?

33. If you are a manager:
• Insist on regular updates
• Have one-on-one meetings with staff to listen
• Be deliberate about real communication
• Model inclusion by
• showing respect, listening, friendliness
• and consideration of others
• Use the language of virtues

34. If you are a colleague:
Use the language of virtues
Practice thanking and honouring others.
This is how…

35. Acknowledge
Encourage
Motivate
Guide
Elevate
Clarify
Correct
Use the language of virtues to:
Virtues
habits

36. Acknowledge:
“Thank you for
being so (helpful).”
“I sure appreciate
your (friendliness)!”

37. Encourage:
“I want to honour
you for your
(thoughtfulness).”
“You can do it! Just
try (perseverance).”

38. Motivate:
“You can over come
this obstacle. You
are (creative).”
“Let’s challenge the
team to show
(inclusiveness).”

39. Guide:
“When I have that
kind of problem I
have to remember to
be (detached).”
“Can you practice
(patience) with her?”

40. Elevate:
“Let’s take it up a
notch. I know we can
be more (supportive).”
“This calls for
(diplomacy and
wisdom).”

41. Clarify:
“We can all show
(accountability) by
following the SOP.”
“I expect everyone to
show (compassion)
for [name].”

42. Correct:
“I want to see you
practicing (consistence
and excellence). Can I
count on you?”
“The only question I
want to hear is
(how can I help?).”

43. Can you see yourself doing
this?

44. Be. Do. Have.
The language of
virtues starts to
spread
START
acting the part
BELIEVE
in the process
Virtues focus
increases unity of
thought
Habits of virtue
overwrite habits of
vice
You impact the workplace
RESULTS
will grow

45. How
to kill
WITH
KINDNESS
(company
story…)

46. NOW FOR SOME
STRATEGIES

47. AGGRESSION:
Plant manager with history of violent outbursts
Can you name the virtues his team used to stop
the toxicity?
HR manager – “This is how it’s going to be.” (assertiveness)
Team leader – “Boss, wanna’ see this?...” (persistent communication)
Team members –
“We can discuss this when you’re calmer.” (dignity and self respect)

48. What other VIRTUES
DID THEY USE?

49. STRATEGIES FOR AGGRESSION:
PERSONAL: reframe, use inner strength, create
inner “comedy game”, visualize force field of
love and protection, say “I am confident,
loveable and capable. I deserve to be treated
with respect”

50. STRATEGIES FOR AGGRESSION:
DIFFICULT CONVERSATION: privately “You
may not be aware that you are affecting
people…” Get agreement on what respect looks
like, get commitment to respectful
communication. Don’t back down, but be cool,
persistent and professional.

51. STRATEGIES FOR AGGRESSION:
TEAM: speak with people individually to find
allies, get agreement on strategy. Practice it,
discuss support. Everyone does it consistently.
Celebrate success.

52. STRATEGIES FOR AGGRESSION:
WHEN UNDER ATTACK :
“Is that what you REALLY think?(repeat)”
“If I said that to you, how would you feel?”
“Hmmm….hmmm.”
“Let’s talk when you and I are both calmer”

53. EXCLUSION:
IT Department tries to break the cliques
Can you name the virtues they used?
Initiate floor lunches– “Everyone invited!” (inclusiveness)
Fat Fridays “Come over to our pod today for a quick chat and a high calorie
bonbon” (generosity, kindness, humour)
Infiltrate the system–
“Strategically ‘bridge’ with someone from another team” (strategic
friendliness)

54. Can you start finding ways to
use virtues in your daily work
actions?

55. STRATEGIES FOR dealing with EXCLUSION:
PERSONAL: exclusion is the first level of
aggression. Initiate something to get out of
being a victim, practice confidence, keep an
inclusion log to stay encouraged.

56. STRATEGIES FOR dealing with EXCLUSION
DIFFICULT CONVERSATION: find the
“ringleader” and ask why he/she feels the need
to exclude. OR ask to join forces in creating an
inclusive workplace, ask for some good ideas.
Get commitment.

57. STRATEGIES FOR dealing with EXCLUSION:
TEAM: break up cliques by bridging with
individuals, sit between people at meetings and
initiate conversations, start something and invite
the others to join. Discuss what it would be like
to have the “perfect” (inclusive) workplace. Help
people imagine it.

58. STRATEGIES FOR dealing with EXCLUSION:
WHEN UNDER ATTACK :
People feel jealous? Acknowledge them and
celebrate their successes.
Scarcity mentality? Show that there is enough of
everything when people work together
Help people turn perceived threats into
opportunities

59. All other categories in the handout…
coming after the masterclass

60. So has this been a win for you?
Was it a good use of your time?

61. Want more? Do you long to…
• Work with an insightful guide who can see
your talent?
• Get past your emotional blocks?
• Learn to present yourself better?
• Get inside opportunities?
• Find your inner virtues and learn how to use
them?

62. WHEN YOU HAVE SOMEONE WHO
BELIEVES IN YOU ON YOUR SIDE
YOU WILL MOVE MOUNTAINS.
That’s the power of a coach!

63. Let me tell you about Alicia
• Was returning to work after taking care of her
five children, low confidence
• We planned a management career path and
she got her first job
• Graduated to supervisor, then coordinator in
second jobs
• Is now an assistant executive director

64. Let me tell you about Mohammed
• Was bullied by a racist boss
• Highly qualified engineer, never promoted
• We created a strategy that got him a
severance package and a reference
• Is on his way to a career without the stress of
no income while searching

65. Let me tell you about Zaynab
• Was working in three survival jobs
• Lost hope and was discouraged, lost sense of
identity and culture
• We built up her confidence, found her
connections, improved her resume
• Now she has one job that pays and is on track
for her dream career

66. Marsieh Khodadady, Accountant
“Marie has the ability to understand the needs of
individuals, and what will make them succeed,
and with her positive impact, mentor them until
they reach their goals.”

67. Do you want results like that?
If this
is the right time
to take charge of
your career journey…

68. YOU WILL FEEL IT IN YOUR HEART

69. .DE-TOX
your career.

70. Contact me to find out how
I can help you reach your career goals.
Marie Gervais
marie@shiftworkplace.com
http://shiftworkplace.com
780 993 1062

71. THANK
YOU!
For sharing
This time
Together
with me
Tip
sheet
link