What if respect at work wasn't just "nice to have," but a critical driver of health, performance, belonging, and wellbeing?
In this episode of The Well-Being Manifesto Podcast, hosts Dr. Moain Abu Dabrh and Dr. David Freeman are joined by renowned researcher, author, and speaker Dr. Christine Porath, one of the world's leading experts on civility, incivility, burnout, and workplace culture.
Dr. Porath, author of Mastering Civility and Mastering Community at Work, shares decades of research showing how everyday behaviors—often small and unconscious—shape burnout, psychological safety, engagement, trust, and health in workplaces, healthcare systems, and communities.
In this wide-ranging and deeply human conversation, you'll learn:
-
How incivility and burnout spread like contagion in organizations
-
What the "witness effect" is and why simply observing rudeness harms performance and wellbeing
-
Why stress and overwhelm are the #1 drivers of uncivil behavior
-
How respect, listening, and small acts of kindness improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction
-
The hidden costs of toxic leadership and disengaged cultures
-
Why community and belonging are essential for thriving at work and beyond
-
Practical, small-but-mighty actions anyone can take to build a more civil, supportive workplace
-
The challenges and opportunities of hybrid and virtual work for trust and connection
This episode is essential listening for leaders, clinicians, managers, and anyone interested in burnout prevention, workplace wellbeing, organizational culture, psychological safety, leadership, employee engagement, and whole person care.
At its core, this conversation reminds us that civility is not soft—it's powerful, and that how we treat one another shapes not only our work, but our health and lives.
(01:36) - Dr. Christine's Personal Journey
(05:11) - Early Signs of Workplace Culture Issues
(06:44) - Understanding Burnout and Incivility
(07:42) - The Witness Effect and Negative Contagion
(14:25) - The Importance of Feedback and Self-Awareness
(16:47) - Building Community and Thriving at Work
(21:47) - Practical Steps to Foster Community
(24:46) - Character and Core Values in Leadership
(26:53) - Challenges and Opportunities in Virtual Work Environments
(32:53) - Small Acts of Kindness: Making a Big Impact
(41:45) - Rapid Fire Round: Personal Insights and Practices
🌐 Learn more: https://www.thewellbeingmanifesto.com
📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thewellbeingmanifesto
🟦 BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/wellbeingmanifesto.bsky.social
Inward with courage. Outward with compassion.