When SHRM launched their #CivilityAtWork initiative, it felt like a rallying cry for everything we believe in and have been fighting for these last 15 years. Respectful, thriving workplaces are the dream we all share, but let’s be real—getting there isn’t always easy. In fact, 70% of leaders admit they don’t know where to start.
At Civility Partners, we’ve had the absolute joy of partnering with HR leaders who dared to take the first step. This year has been nothing short of extraordinary. We’ve witnessed moments of courage, connection, and transformation that remind us exactly why we love what we do.
To date, we’ve partnered with over 250 clients, representing thousands of employees worldwide. Each journey has been unique, but the ripple effects can be profound—when people feel good at work, they take that positivity home to their loved ones.
Stories That Prove Positive Culture Change is Possible
Below are the stories of just three of the organizations who stepped up in 2024, rolled up their sleeves, and made magic happen with the support of the Civility Partners team.
A New Chapter for Managers & Collaboration
The HR Director of a woman-owned affordable housing organization reached out to us for stress and time management training for her workforce. Through a short survey, we uncovered that people were stressed because of how they were micromanaged, and the source of trouble managing time was high turnover and the extra work left behind in exits.
Understanding the importance of great managers, the HR Director embarked on a journey with us to develop a six-session manager training program with experiential exercises to complete in between sessions. The goals: Upskill managers, help them develop a coaching habit, and build a strong community among learners.
Conversations that had been surface-level suddenly deepened. One participant shared that the most valuable part of the training was realizing peers were more aligned than they thought. “It felt so good to step away from the grind and truly connect,” they said.
Several learners shared that their new coaching approach is working, as their team is leaning on each other and developing coaching habits too. Managers were now getting called in to problem solve when appropriate, and the concept of co-creating had a big impact on learners and their teams.
Together, the managers created a shared understanding of what excellent management looks like – and they built long lasting relationships so they can support each other moving forward.
From Employee Survey Results to Action
Sometimes, the most profound changes begin with listening. That’s exactly what happened with a financial services organization that partnered with us for a climate assessment. As a new CEO took the helm, he wanted to understand how the workforce was feeling and what he needed to focus on to improve an already pretty good culture. The survey results revealed areas where trust needed rebuilding, and providing opportunities for professional growth was essential.
Wanting to gain an even deeper understanding and obtain ideas for change to ensure he had buy-in, we dove deep into the hearts of their already established workforce committee. Together with our company champion, we assisted in crafting strategies to enhance transparency and foster professional development.
Their commitment to turning employee feedback into tangible action laid the foundation for trust, and their ongoing change initiatives will continue to allow this bank to enjoy low turnover and high employee satisfaction. We’ll be back to conduct four pulse surveys along the way so they can measure the success and impact of all they’re working on.
The Transformative Impact of Coaching
A media company was grappling with a challenge: An exceptionally talented journalist who brings in top ratings and viewership had a harsh communication style and strained relationships as a result. Like most of our coaching clients, he was interested in positive change but entered our coaching relationship with some trepidation.
Through collecting and delivering feedback to our client, the impact he was having on others and the business came down on him like a ton of bricks. Now, more than ever, he was ready to make change. And change he did!
The shift was profound. A colleague noted in the second round of feedback we collected that “The stress we used to feel is gone. Seeing him excited and reading the room better has transformed the dynamic here.” Another said, “The optimism is a good positive change because it was really stressful around here; having him be this excited is ideal.” His feedback went from talk of public shaming and dismissing people to talk of enjoying his energy and relief that he’d turned things around.
In a Nutshell…
These stories are proof that change isn’t just possible—it’s within reach. They’re a testament to the power of stepping up, showing care, and investing in a better workplace for everyone.
To every organization we’ve worked with this year and years past, thank you for trusting us with your journey.
And to those ready to write their own success story, let’s connect and make it happen. Just reply to this email and we’ll set up a call.
Here’s to a future full of growth, connection, and celebration!
Happy holidays,
Catherine & The Civility Partners Team
