Tackling Toxicity: From Bystander to Upstander | Mauricio Velasquez

Get Mauricio's book 'Tackling Toxicity' on Amazon here: https://a.co/d/08uHkZag

In this episode I sit down with Mauricio Velasquez, a worldwide conflict resolution and emotional intelligence consultant who has trained in over seventy five countries, from Guantanamo Bay to the White House to professional sports organizations like the MLS. We get into why most people are conflict averse and what happens when you ignore toxic behavior instead of addressing it. Mauricio breaks down the difference between reacting and responding, how to spot your own triggers before they take over, and the exact language he teaches leaders to use when someone is coming in hot. We talk through real stories from his thirty year career, from coaching a CEO who nearly destroyed his company's culture in fifteen seconds to a moment in the stands at his daughter's basketball game where he chose to stand up instead of stay silent. This conversation is about moving from bystander to upstander, in your business, your family, and your life.

Main Topics Covered

Why most people avoid conflict instead of resolving it

The difference between reacting and responding

How to identify your own emotional triggers

What to say when someone is coming in hot

Moving from bystander to upstander

Holding leaders and toxic employees accountable

Building psychological safety for honest feedback

Standing up for others in the moment

About Mauricio: