How to challenge upsetting behaviour

Interactions between team members can have a big impact on performance and outcomes. Disrespect and hostility can create a threatening environment and hinder collaboration and productivity. In a medical setting, it could literally be a life-or-death situation.

The Civility Saves Lives movement aims to raise awareness about the importance of behaviour and promote a culture of civility. By showing respect and support towards each-other, teams can enhance their performance, deliver better outcomes, and provide a healthier and kinder path towards personal growth.

In this episode, Dr Chris Turner, co-founder of the Civility Saves Lives movement, demonstrates how we can create an environment where civility is valued, information is freely shared, and everyone feels empowered to contribute. By taking the time to show respect – and to address disrespect without offering judgement – we can make a positive difference in the workplace and improve outcomes for teams and patients.

Listen to this episode to

Understand the importance of civility and its role in improving team performance and patient outcomes.
Learn about the effects of incivility on individuals and their ability to think and perform under high-pressure situations.
Find out about the origins of the Civility Saves Lives movement, and its impact on behaviour in healthcare.

Episode highlights

[00:01:32] Meeting Chris
[00:02:21] Civility Saves Lives
[00:10:50] The minimum unit of performance is the team
[00:13:32] Setting an environment for people to speak
[00:16:25] What happens when we’re scared of being wrong
[00:23:40] How hostile behaviour impacts teams
[00:25:45] How rudeness affects trust
[00:27:22] We don’t go to work to be unpleasant
[00:31:21] Knowing that someone’s got you
[00:35:15] How to give feedback
[00:49:44] Curiosity’s role when giving difficult feedback
[00:55:08] How to avoid the drama triangle
[00:59:09] Understanding cultural context
[01:01:52] Accepting uninvited criticism
[01:04:23] How to take difficult feedback
[01:06:15] The act of saying sorry
[01:09:39] Chris’ top tips

About the guest

Chris is a consultant in emergency medicine at the University Hospital of Coventry and Warwickshire. He co-founded Civility Saves Lives with Joe Farmer, a grassroots organisation dedicated to raising awareness of the impact of behaviour on performance.

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