E082 Stefanie Costi Breaking From a Toxic Workplace
Let’s Be Well Together Podcast - Episode 82
Date: August 22, 2023
Participants: Elise Seifert, Julie Wilson, Cameron Earnshaw, John Webster, Sheila Webster and Stephen Seifert.
Guest: Stefanie Costi
Start times and Segments:
[0:00:35] What’s On Your Mind: Seeing something as beautiful and awe-inspiring as a sunset can have a positive impact on your frame of mind and mental health. We talk about an article in the National Post - We should all be watching more sunsets for the good of our mental health: new study
[0:08:00] Expanding Minds Interview: [Mental Wellness] . It’s part 2 of our interview of Stefanie Costi, who experienced bullying in a toxic workplace. Last time she described what it felt like. This week she talks about breaking free and starting to feel better. She took time off to recharge, reboot and build her confidence. She founded an organization to help others who experienced what she did, and to educate workplaces about bullying and the impact of harbouring bullies. She discovered she still wanted to be a lawyer, then thought about the characteristics of a law firm that would help her achieve a work life balance: things like an amazing culture, respect for everyone, feeling safe, being able to make a difference and strong mentoring. She settled into a job that she enjoys.
[0:30:25] Adventures of the Starving Artist: Cameron’s been telling us about all the different jobs he does and hats he wears. He just added a new one. He’s writing a speech for an upcoming wedding. He’s the best man at a wedding.
[0:33:39] Move That Body: We’re feeling great from weight training. We chat about an article from DNUYZ - People Who Do Strength Training Live Longer — and Better.
[0:39:31] Running Popup: John felt like a kid while riding his bike. He remembered the feeling of freedom it gave him when he was young.
[0:41:35] Flipside of the Coin: Meal planning makes a big difference from Elise and Stephen. There are lots of advantages.
Quotes and Take-Aways:
Elise – Seeing something so beautiful and awe-inspiring as a sunset helps to boost our mental health.
Stefanie – I took some time off work after I left a toxic workplace, which I think was the most powerful thing I could have done. When you go through workplace trauma, and if you leave a job and go straight into another one, then you don’t take time to recharge and reboot and build up your confidence. The problem in doing that is that the trauma you faced in your previous job goes into your current role.
Stefanie – After I got bullied and left the job, I took time to exercise and to ask myself whether I wanted to be a lawyer or whether I wanted something else for my career. I discovered that I want to be a lawyer. I researched firms that aligned with my values. You need a job that aligns with those values.
Stefanie – You can’t help another person if you’re sinking yourself. I waited until I was ready to make a difference before I started making a difference.
Stefanie – I made a list. I wanted to work at a firm that would help me achieve a work life balance. It had to have an amazing culture. There must be respect to everyone in the workplace, from the janitor all the way up to a partner of the firm. I wanted to work in a place I could be proud of, where I could feel safe and secure, and where I could go in and make a difference. Mentoring and guidance are very important. If you don’t have higher-ups who are willing to invest their time and their effort in you, then you won’t grow and your career will be stunted.
Stefanie – It’s very important that we speak about workplace bullying. For people feeling alone in their struggle, you’re not alone. There are thousands of people who said that’s happened to me or I know someone who had that experience. Life at work does not define you. You have valuable things to offer.
Bulletin Board Quote brought to you by Cameron: I’m learning a lot about what not to do
Guest Information: Guest Information: Stefanie Costi is a practicing commercial law lawyer in Australia. She is an advocate for student lawyers and graduates. Deep down, her passion is empowering people involved in toxic workplace to speak up. She also educates organizations on the lasting impact of harbouring bullies in their ranks.
Stefanie’s LinkedIn Page: Here
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Thanks for joining us,
(-(-_(-_-)_-)-) Your wellness check-in team
John, Sammy, Cameron, Sheila, Elise, Isabelle and Julie