EP. 127: Breaking Silence: Combating Toxicity in Healthcare

Are you ready to transform a toxic work environment into a culture of kindness and professional respect? In this episode, Linda Crockett, Founder of the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources, discusses the critical strategies needed to identify and dismantle bullying and incivility within the healthcare industry. She shares her professional expertise on fostering psychological safety and provides actionable insights for those navigating high-stress medical environments. Furthermore, she highlights the importance of organizational accountability in protecting the mental health of frontline workers. By emphasizing the need for systemic change, the conversation illustrates how leadership and individual staff members can work together to sustain a healthy workforce. Tune in to this insightful episode of Coffee Break to learn how you can do your part in breaking the cycle of workplace bullying! About Linda Crockett: Linda Crockett is a recognized leader in workplace psychological safety and a trailblazer in advancing diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible (DEIA) workplaces. With 38 years in social work and 15 years specializing in workplace psychological safety, she is a national and international authority on trauma-informed, culturally grounded approaches to workplace bullying, harassment, discrimination, and systemic harm. She is the founder of the award-winning Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources (CIWBR) and the nonprofit Canadian Institute of Workplace Harassment and Violence (CIWHV). Linda provides prevention, intervention, repair, and recovery services; supports trauma-informed return-to-work planning; mentors professionals; and serves as an expert panelist shaping restorative engagement efforts within Canada’s federal public service. A master’s-level clinical social worker with advanced trauma therapy certifications, Linda combines academic rigor with practical expertise to help organizations rebuild trust, promote healing, and create psychologically safe, accountable workplace cultures. Source What You’ll Learn In This Episode: Individual silence allows workplace toxicity to grow, making every team member responsible for identifying and addressing incivility. Sustaining a healthy professional culture requires systemic organizational change, not just individual acts of kindness. Cultural transformation in healthcare happens through consistent, incremental actions rather than quick fixes. Professional isolation is both a consequence and a tool of workplace bullying, making connection to support networks essential. Specialized external resources are critical for managing complex interpersonal dynamics and guiding organizations from crisis to stability. Links & Resources: Connect with and follow Linda Crockett on LinkedIn or reach out via email! Follow the Canadian Institute of Workplace Bullying Resources on LinkedIn and visit their website! Discover the Canadian Institute of Workplace Harassment and Violence here! Check out the 33 Scripts Guide to Address Disruptive Behaviour here! Buy Renee Thompson’s book Enough! Eradicating Bullying & Incivility here! Grab a copy of Renee Thompson’s book Do No Harm Applies to Nurses Too! 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.