Episode Summary

In this episode, Jeremy explores how to use assertiveness—not passivity or aggression—to set clear, respectful boundaries at work. You’ll learn practical tools to protect your time, reduce burnout, and improve communication with colleagues and supervisors.

What You’ll Learn

• What assertiveness really is (and isn’t)
  
  
• Why boundary-setting is key to professional well-being
  
  
• The 4-step assertiveness framework
  
  
• Word-for-word example statements to use at work
  
  
• How to handle pushback with calm confidence
  
  
• Why assertiveness builds stronger teams and cultures
  
  

Episode Highlights

🔹 [00:44] — The difference between passive, aggressive, and assertive communication
🔹 [01:33] — Step 1: How to recognize when a boundary is being crossed
🔹 [02:27] — Step 2: Crafting powerful “I” statements that express needs
🔹 [03:44] — Step 3: Why clarity and directness prevent misunderstandings
🔹 [05:00] — Step 4: Tools for reinforcing your boundaries respectfully
🔹 [06:17] — What to do when people push back
🔹 [07:19] — Final thoughts on building healthier workplaces through assertiveness

Connect with Us

🌐 Website: PollackPeacebuilding.com

🌐 Dr. Pollack’s Club: peacefulleadersacademy.com/club
📧 Email: support@pollackpeacebuilding.com
📱 LinkedIn: Jeremy Pollack

📢 Share this episode with a colleague who needs support setting healthy boundaries!

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

🔎 Episode Summary:

Being bullied at work—whether by a peer or supervisor—can be isolating, frustrating, and deeply stressful. In this episode, Dr. Jeremy Pollack shares 7 practical, research-backed steps to help you recognize, respond to, and recover from workplace bullying. You’ll hear real-world examples, learn how to protect your mental health, and gain tools to take back your power—while staying professional and calm.

Whether you’re currently being bullied or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clear guidance for navigating a toxic workplace dynamic.

🛠️ Key Steps Covered:

1. Recognize the Behavior
   → Identify patterns of disrespect, exclusion, or psychological harm.
   
   
2. Document Everything
   → Keep a detailed, dated log of incidents and impact.
   
   
3. Set Boundaries When Safe
   → Use calm, assertive language to disrupt harmful patterns.
   
   
4. Report Internally
   → Present your documentation to HR or leadership with a solutions-oriented mindset.
   
   
5. Take Care of Your Mental Health
   → Prioritize your emotional well-being and access support when needed.
   
   
6. Explore Your Options
   → If the culture won’t change, consider your long-term path elsewhere.
   
   
7. Know Your Legal Rights
   → Learn when bullying crosses into illegal harassment and what resources are available.

📌 Resources & Links:

• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): https://www.eeoc.gov
  
  
• Workplace mental health resources: https://www.workplacementalhealth.org
  
  

💬 Notable Quote:

"Bullying is never your fault—but addressing it is your right. One small step can lead to real change."

✅ Stay Connected with Dr. Jeremy Pollack:

• Website: pollackpeacebuilding.com
• LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/jeremypollack
  
  

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

🔍 Episode Summary

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Jeremy dives into a critical skill for every new manager and team lead: building trust. Trust isn't automatic—it’s something you intentionally earn. Without it, even the best plans falter. But with it? You can prevent conflict, foster resilience, and lead with influence instead of authority.

Whether you’re stepping into a team for the first time or trying to rebuild broken trust, this episode offers 8 actionable strategies you can implement immediately. Real-world examples from business, healthcare, tech, and nonprofit leadership illustrate each point and help bring the ideas to life.

🧭 What You’ll Learn

• Why asking for hard feedback early on builds psychological safety
• How meaningful one-on-one conversations lead to deeper connection
• Why leaders who ask for help earn more respect, not less
• How consistent positive reinforcement boosts morale and performance
• The damage emotional inconsistency causes—and how to regulate it
• How transparency prevents toxic assumptions
• Why not level-skipping is about trust, not red tape
• How inviting people into decisions increases ownership and loyalty

📌 Key Takeaways

1. Trust is a bank account—make deposits before you need to withdraw.
2. Consistency beats charisma when it comes to emotional leadership.
3. Transparency builds credibility, even during tough decisions.
4. Your team are the experts—learn from them.
5. Small actions, done consistently, build the strongest trust.

🧠 Episode Quote

✅ Action Step

Pick two of the trust-building strategies discussed and commit to practicing them this week. Write them down. Schedule them. Build the habit—and the trust.

📬 Stay Connected

If you found this episode helpful, share it with a fellow leader. Subscribe for weekly insights on building peace, trust, and clarity in the workplace.

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

This is a short course on the efficacy and use cases of Psychometric Assessment Tools for Conflict Management. It’s designed to help you understand how conflict style assessments work and how you might use them in an organizational setting to help employees and leaders better understand themselves and each other with regard to their conflict management styles.

For the full episode, including a downloadable eBook supplement, please join Dr. Pollack Peaceful Leaders Club at https://peacefulleadersacademy.com/club/. Club members get access to exclusive content, Dr. Pollack's online course library, and coaching groups with Dr. Pollack and his team.

For conflict intervention and training programs, please visit our website to get more information: https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/

00:00 Introduction
03:15 Validity of Psychometric Assessments
04:09 Types of Validity
07:12 Reliability of Psychometric Assessments
08:02 Types of Reliability
09:25 Major Conflict Management Style Assessments
11:13 Thomas Kilmann Instrument
12:45 Rahim Organizational Conflict Inventory-II
14:28 Conflict Dynamics Profile
16:08 Additional Assessments to Consider
17:10 Challenges and Limitations of Assessments
21:34 Outro

References for this episode: https://peacefulleadersacademy.com/club/references/psychometric-conflict-assessments-june-2025/

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Saima shares her struggle with a toxic work environment, where her boss seems to be undermining her due to office politics and possible budget cuts. Frustrated and feeling gaslit, Saima is looking for a way to cope while actively applying for new roles. Dr. Pollack provides strategies to help her stay grounded, set boundaries, and maintain self-worth as she plans her exit.

If you're dealing with a difficult work situation or looking for ways to stay resilient while planning your next career move, this episode offers practical advice. Don’t forget to subscribe for more workplace and conflict resolution tips, and share this video with others who might benefit.

Please visit our website to get more information: https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Marcus seeks guidance on dealing with job insecurity as his current company shows signs of potential failure. After switching jobs for career growth, Marcus now finds himself in a challenging situation where he wonders whether to stay or start looking for new opportunities. Dr. Pollack walks him through strategies for having open conversations with management, assessing his job stability, and exploring options without burning bridges.

If you’re experiencing job uncertainty or want advice on navigating potential layoffs, this episode provides practical strategies to help you make informed decisions. Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert workplace advice, and share this video with anyone who might find it helpful.

Please visit our website to get more information: https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Jenna shares her frustration with a bullying colleague whose domineering behavior disrupts team dynamics and goes unchecked by their boss. Despite repeated complaints, her boss continues to overlook this behavior, leaving Jenna and her team feeling unsupported. Dr. Pollack offers strategies for approaching this difficult situation, including taking a collective stance, documenting incidents, and escalating the issue through HR if necessary.

If you’re dealing with similar issues in your workplace or struggling to address toxic behavior, this episode provides actionable steps for advocating for a respectful and productive environment. Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert advice, and share this video with others who might benefit.

Please visit our website to get more information: https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn

In this episode of Peacebuilding with Dr. Pollack, Sam shares his frustration with a boss who insists on daily and weekly meetings that disrupt his sales performance. Despite being the company’s top salesperson, Sam feels micromanaged and unable to focus on what he does best. Dr. Pollack provides insights on how to approach the conversation with a collaborative mindset to reduce meeting frequency, set boundaries, and improve the relationship with his boss.

If you're dealing with overbearing management or need strategies to establish workplace boundaries, this episode offers practical solutions to help you reclaim your time. Don’t forget to subscribe for more expert advice on handling workplace conflicts, and share this video with anyone who might benefit.

Please visit our website to get more information: https://pollackpeacebuilding.com/

Host: Dr. Jeremy Pollack from Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

More from Dr. Pollack:

• Peaceful Leaders Academy
• Conflict Resolution Playbook: Practical Communication Skills for Preventing, Managing, and Resolving Conflict
• FREE e-book: The Ultimate 12-Step Guide to Coworker Mediation: Free Ebook - Pollack Peacebuilding Systems

Connect with Dr. Pollack on social media: Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | LinkedIn