Event Details

 Over the past couple of years, there has been an unprecedented rise in awareness of the insidious damage done by harassment and bullying in and out of the workplace. While it has been disheartening that we are still faced with these types of behaviors, the increased focus on these problems such as the #metoo movement has encouraged and opened more dialogue and action than in years past. Many organizations have reacted by revisiting their Harassment Prevention efforts, from revising policies to holding employee training sessions. These are important steps.

Yet, we need to not only take this deeper, we need to make sure we are creating cultures that become intolerant to and completely free from harassing behavior. In this engaging and thought-provoking keynote, human resources expert and consultant Ross Gibson will challenge the audience in being change agents in the next cultural imperative: On Civility. In Ross’ view, based on extensive experience, consulting with a variety of organizations and being a voracious reader, leaders must be the champions of building and maintaining civility within and outside our organizations. Ross will explore and challenge us on how we, in Gandhi’s words, must “be the change you wish to see in the world.” Specific learning objectives from this session:

• Define what Civility is and discuss why it is so important
• Go through examples of civil and uncivil behaviors we see in the workplace
• Understand the costs associated with incivility
• Look at coping strategies for dealing with uncivil behavior
• Discuss ways in which attendees can move the needle on civility within their workplace

The session will be a mix of presentation, large and small group discussion, written exercises and videos.  Participants will leave this keynote inspired and energized to go back take their anti-harassment, pro-civility efforts to new and higher levels!

Our speaker, Ross Gibson is leadership and organizational development consultant and facilitator.  As the Director, Benefits Consulting at The Richards Group, Ross works with organizations to help develop positive leadership growth.   Prior to working as a consultant, Ross was Senior Vice President, Global Human Resources at World Learning.  Ross has held other several senior level positions including Vice President, Learning and Organizational Development at Charles River Labs and Vice President, Human Resources at both American Superconductor and Cambridge Neuroscience, Inc. 

Ross holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Psychology from Tufts University and a Master’s Degree in Management of Human Services from Brandeis University.  Ross is active in several local and regional Human Resources and training organizations and is a past President of the Northeast Human Resources Association (NEHRA).  Ross is a Board member of the Brattleboro Area Chamber of Commerce, Director-elect of the Vermont State Council of SHRM and an active member of the Sunshine Rotary Club of Brattleboro. 

Register HERE!

Thank you to our sponsor The Richards Group: