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Pressure is rising in many workplaces, but turning up the heat rarely creates better thinking. Becky makes the case that civility is not window dressing—it’s the operating system for clear decisions, resilient strategy, and teams that speak up instead of shutting down. From her own hard-won lessons to practical moves you can use today, this conversation reframes respect as a leadership discipline, not a soft extra.
We dig into the difference between politeness and true operational civility: setting decision rights, naming criteria, and explaining the “why” so rumors don’t fill the gaps. You’ll hear vivid examples of meetings that spiral into sniping and how a simple pause-and-redirect can reset the room. We talk through humane layoffs and restructures—why dignity protects people and the business—and offer scripts that replace vague emails with clear, compassionate conversations. On strategy, Becky shows how capacity, trade-offs, and welcomed dissent keep plans from drifting into wishful thinking. When people trust they won’t be embarrassed or sidelined, they raise red flags early, test assumptions, and save you from costly blind spots.
The throughline is simple: civility is strength that doesn’t need to prove itself. Model calm, invite real critique, and communicate with clarity, and you’ll trade compliance and silence for insight and ownership. That’s not softness—it’s disciplined leadership that earns trust in small moments and pays off when the stakes are high. If this resonates, follow the show, leave a review, and share it with a leader who’s ready to turn pressure into clarity. What’s one civil move you’ll try in your next meeting?
Connect with Beki on LinkedIn: Linkedin.com/in/BekiFraser
Learn more about her coaching: TheIntrovertedSkeptic.com
Follow Short Story Long's LinkedIn Page: Linkedin.com/showcase/shortstorylongpod
Get her book, C.O.A.C.H. Y.O.U.: The Introverted Skeptic’s Guide to Leadership - Amazon
Short Story Long is produced by Crowned Culture Media LLC
