If We Are Wired for Good, Why Is There So Much Incivility?

  • Author: Dr. Lew Bayer
  • Credit: 1
  • Study time: 30 minutes
The Science of Civility micro course
Course overview
If people are wired for good, why is incivility so common? Explore how stress, contagion, norms, pace, power and screens get in the way, and what helps.
  • Video time: 2 minutes
  • Certificate of Completion included

What's included?

  • 5 Lessons
  • 1 Certificate of Completion
  • 1 Worksheet
  • 3 Videos
  • 2 PDF downloads

What you will learn

Dr. Lew Bayer asks the question every thoughtful learner raises: if we are good, why does it not happen naturally? This micro module explains, with current research and cost data, how workplace conditions such as stress, rudeness contagion, norms, pace, power and digital communication push good people toward incivility. It closes with a practical audit that helps you change one condition within your influence.

A tool you can use this week

The My Civility Climate Audit worksheet, which you download and complete for a real situation of your own.

Dr. Lew Bayer

CEO of Civility Experts Inc., author, and Canadian Civility Ambassador
ABOUT LEW
Dr. Lew Bayer is internationally recognized as the leading expert on civility at work. She is CEO of Civility Experts Inc., a multinational civility training group with more than 500 affiliates in 46 countries, and the author of 23 books, including the bestseller The 30% Solution and a new book on diplomacy due for release in January 2027. With some 30 years of experience as a practitioner and mentor, Lew and her team of social architects help organizations build better workplaces by building competency in civility. She serves as faculty at the Canadian Management Centre, is Director of the International Civility Trainers' Consortium, and is currently embracing her role as Canadian Civility Ambassador.
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