“Ouch.”

Believe it or not, this one word could be all it takes to breakthrough bystander paralysis when a pattern interrupt is needed to disrupt someone who is making inappropriate comments.

In this highlight episode of Brad Johnson’s amazing interview last week, I review his brilliant action steps to help reduce bystander anxiety and step into the much-needed role of active ally at work and in life.

More about Brad Johnson

W. Brad Johnson is Professor of psychology in the Department of Leadership, Ethics and Law at the United States Naval Academy, and a Faculty Associate in the Graduate School of Education at Johns Hopkins University. A clinical psychologist and former commissioned officer  in the Navy’s Medical Service Corps, Dr. Johnson served at Bethesda Naval Hospital and the Medical Clinic at Pearl Harbor where he was the division head for psychology. He is a recipient of the Johns Hopkins University Teaching Excellence Award, and has received distinguished mentor awards from the National Institutes of Health and the American Psychological Association. 

Dr. Johnson is the author of numerous publications including 14 books, in the areas of gender in the workplace, mentoring, cross-gender allyship, professional ethics, and counseling. His most recent books include: Good Guys: How Men Can Become Better Allies for Women in the Workplace (Harvard Business Review, 2020, with David Smith), Athena Rising: How and Why Men Should Mentor Women (Harvard Business Review, 2016, with David Smith), The Elements of Mentoring (3rd edition, St. Martin’s Press, with Charles Ridley), and On Being a Mentor (2nd edition, Routledge Press).