Matt Paknis Leadership Development

"United we stand, divided we fall." — Aesop "Sticks in a bundle are unbreakable." — Kenyan Proverb "There is not a liberal America and a conservative America – there is the United States of America." — Barack Obama "When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you." — Winston S. Churchill #united #unbreakable #community #teamwork  #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #share #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #learning

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." — Japanese Proverb "If you're going through hell, keep going." — Winston Churchill "Still I Rise." — Maya Angelou "Endure and persist." — Marcus Aurelius #StandUp #keepgoing #RiseUp #endure #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #persist #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #nevergiveup

"Big business is tightening its grip on our courts. Instead of serving as a last resort for Americans seeking justice, judges are bending the law to satisfy the concerns of their corporate donors." — Billy Corriher "The appearance of corporate influence or access... breeds cynicism and distrust." — Judge Paul A. Crotty #justice #rights #influence #Transparency #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #trust #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #integrity

A voice is a human gift; it should be cherished and used, to utter fully human speech as possible." — Margaret Atwood "Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." — Martin Luther King Jr. #speak #cherish #matter #humanity  #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #stepup #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #justice Victims and targets who make bullying observations and claims are often stigmatized as troublemakers or whistleblowers, even though breaking the silence by exposing and stopping bullying and abuse is most courageous and admirable.

"I've been blessed with a deep and abiding faith in the country I love." - Barack Obama "I love the United States very much. We are one people, chasing one dream, and one magnificent destiny." - Donald Trump  #blessed #faith #love #dream #destiny #usa #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #Respect #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #dignity

"Nowadays, respect is disappearing. People no longer know how to treat one another with dignity," —Yan Keirstin Domdom "Without dignity, identity is erased." —Laura Hillenbrand "Respect is a reflection of inner strength. Choosing dignity in every interaction says more..." — Judge Frank Caprio #respect #dignity #identity #strength #stand #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #SpeakUp #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #support

"When you make threats to do physical harm, it becomes more than a prank – it becomes illegal." - Rusty Fulbright "Workplace "leaking"—when a person shares their intent to harm—should be treated as a serious red flag, not a joke." - Reid Meloy "Anger, resentment and jealousy doesn't change the heart of others-- it only changes yours." - Shannon Alder #takeaction #investigate #protection #safety #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #justice #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #truth

"In a time of universal deceit, telling the truth becomes a revolutionary act." — George Orwell "Truth is mighty and will prevail." — Mark Twain "Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." — Thomas Jefferson #truth #honesty #wisdom #prevails #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #mighty #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #light  Successful leaders seek and embrace the truth. They solve problems, influence people in positive ways, and achieve growth-perpetuating healthy outcomes.

"Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much." - Hellen Keller "Coming together is a beginning... Working together is success." - Henry Ford  "We may have all come on different ships, but we're in the same boat now". - Martin Luther King, Jr. "Individual commitment to a group effort—that is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work." - Vince Lombardi #together #success #team #commitment #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #unity #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #sacrifice

"Your past is not your potential. In any hour you can choose to liberate the future." — Marilyn Ferguson "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." — Malala Yousafzai "When I let go of what I am, I become what I might be." — Lao Tzu #liberate #inspire #dreams #future #potential #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #goals #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #elevate

"Suppressing free speech constitutes a dual injustice, impinging the rights of both the speaker and the listener." - Frederick Douglass "Depriving Americans the right to a trial erodes the foundation of the Constitution..." — John Garamendi Toray Plastics America sued me in RI Federal Court 3 months after Simon & Schuster released my book.  To silence it, Toray also threatened my publisher, who stopped printing the book. 51 months later, Toray dismissed their bogus claims, with prejudice, denying my right to a fair trial.   #leadersarentbullies

  "People striving for approval from others become phony." - Ichiro Suzuki "To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment." — Ralph Waldo Emerson "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken." — Oscar Wilde #authenticity #standup #bereal #speakup #stepin #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #ExposeTheTruth #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #stopabuse  Bullies expect blind obedience, for people to laugh at their jokes (indecent or not), and for their so-called minions to kowtow, comply, and fawn. Don’t be fooled.

"Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars." — Martin Luther King Jr. "Violence produces only something resembling justice, but it distances people from the possibility of living justly, without violence." — Leo Tolstoy "Resorting to violence... isn't a victory, it's proof you've already lost." — Mark Kelly #peace #nonviolence #unity #light #victory #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #love #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #community

"Honesty is the first chapter in the book of wisdom." — Thomas Jefferson "The more you live for truth, the more strength you find." — Maxime Lagacé "Honesty is the cornerstone of all success. Without it, confidence and ability to perform cease to exist." — Mary Kay Ash "Success in any endeavor depends on the degree to which it is an expression of your true self." — Anon  #truth #honesty #wisdom #strength #success #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #facts #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #transparency

"For too long giant companies have filed bogus lawsuits to silence & bankrupt anyone who dares to challenge them." — Rep. Jamie Raskin "Never let bullies win. If someone is coming after you, it's often because they know you have something good." - Daniel Lubetzky #challenge #fight #SpeakUp #justice #standup #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #light #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #nevergiveup

"Great minds discuss ideas; greater minds deliver results." — Frank Sonnenberg "The law often allows what honor forbids." — Bernard Joseph Saurin “Trust, honesty, humility, transparency and accountability are the building blocks of a positive reputation. Trust is the foundation of any relationship.” – Mike Paul #results #ethics #relationships #Trust #honor #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #justice #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #thrive  Leaders should be measured and held accountable for outcome vitality in three critical dimensions: an organization’s bottom-line results, adherence to #ethical and legal processes, and the demonstration of healthy and respectful relationships.

"Actions are the seed of fate deeds grow into destiny." — Harry S. Truma "We can develop policies that treat all people with dignity and respect." — María Elvira Salazar "This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it." — Abraham Lincoln "The ear of the leader must ring with the voices of the people." — Woodrow Wilson #actions #Destiny #dignity #respect #listen #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #good #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #justice

"It's so nice when toxic people stop talking to you. It's like the trash took itself out." — Karen Salmansohn "A narcissist will attempt to destroy anyone who they believed wronged them." — Medium "The best executive has sense enough to pick good (people) to do what needs to be done, and self-restraint enough to not meddle with them while they do it." —Theodore Roosevelt #good #dignity #respect #restraint #empower #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #justice #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #fight

"My advice to other accused and sued, innocent, people is don't stop. Don't give up. Continue to fight." — Huwe Burton "The arc of the moral universe is long, but it bends towards justice." — Martin Luther King Jr. "Truth is strong, and sometime or other will prevail." — Mary Astell "Our faith is anchored to a miscarriage of justice. The worst possible thing happened to the best possible person." — Andy Stanley #innocent #fight #justice #truth #faith #prevail #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #fair #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #transcend

  56 years later, can you pick us out from our 2nd Grade, Central Ave, Ms. Piccuto, class pic?  Deidre Covington, Alan Sallie

"Selfishness and greed, individual or national, cause most of our troubles." — Harry S. Truman  "Abusive management practices like bullying and sexual harassment routinely feed on income inequality." - Johanna Rickne #selfless #generous #honest #Respect #equal #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #fair #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #humility  Predatory bullying is more prevalent in economies with aggressive, 0 sum, top down cultures, like in the United States, where power and salary disparities between organizational reporting relationships and titles, not always based on competence and merit, are significant.

"We are not enemies, but friends. We must not be enemies." - Abraham Lincoln "The majesty of citizenship holds no distinction of race, class, or faith, gender or background." - Donald Trump "...the first wish of my heart was, if parties did exist, to reconcile them." - George Washington "It's important we talk with each other in a healing way, and not to wound." - Barack Obama  #friends #Citizen #reconciliation #healing #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #love #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #Neighborly

"Recognition is the golden key unlocking the treasure chest of human potential." – Oliver Westwood "Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well." – Voltaire "The deepest craving of human nature is the need to be appreciated." – William James #recognize #appreciate #potential #excellence #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #thank #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #love

"The main reasons for the growth and institutionalization of corruption are: a culture of secrecy with lack of transparency..." - Phashant Bhusan "A corrupt judge does not carefully search for the truth." - Horace "Three things cannot be long hidden: the sun, the moon, and the truth." — Buddha #transparency #justice #truth #expose #clean #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #trust #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #character

"Insults are the last resort of an insecure fool trying to appear confident." - Dustin Woodward "The best revenge is to be unlike him who performed the injury." – Marcus Aurelius "A gentleman will not insult me, and no man not a gentleman can insult me." – Frederick Douglass #highroad #boundaries #protection #laughter #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #calm #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #standup  During the early phases of workplace bullying, indirect and discrete types of behavior prevail; for example, sly comments & insults no one else but the target witnesses from the bully. More direct acts appear later.

"My concern is not whether God is on our side. My great concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right." - Abraham Lincoln “When one of us falters, we all falter. When one of us rises, we all rise.” – Barack Obama “Efforts and courage are not enough without purpose and direction.” – John F. Kennedy #Godisgood #RiseUp #courage #purpose #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #effort #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #direction

"Without feelings of respect, what is there to distinguish men from beasts?" — Confucius "The best organizations are the best because they have the best culture." — Tony Hsieh "Share our similarities, celebrate our differences." — M. Scott Peckl #Respect #culture #similarities #differences #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #love #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #thrive

In 100% of organizations where toxic power and control dynamics manifest as bullying, abuse, pedophilia, and discrimination, those in leadership roles are aware of the abuse, yet fail to address, stop, or report it to legal authorities.   All bullying and abuse is rooted in a bully's, and co conspirators', fear of being exposed as incompetent frauds.  The most talented, and decent, people trigger this fear, and are targeted. So, the best people are often bullied. "When you see something that is not right, not fair, not just, you have to speak up." — John Lewis #dignity #respect #equality #decency #talent #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #protect #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #SpeakUp

"Don't leave inferences to be drawn when evidence can be presented." - Richard Wright "Facts are always friendly; all evidence one can acquire, in any area, leads one much closer to truth." - Unknown "If you tell the truth you don't have to remember anything." - Mark Twain #evidence #facts #truth #freedom #justice #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #expose #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #SpeakUp  Objective bullying evidence, like emails, photos, videos, recordings (where 1 party consent laws apply), etc. is critical to prove workplace abuse.  In addition, there is great strength and credibility with workplace bullying and abuse witness testimonies.

"We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools." — Martin Luther King, Jr. "We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." — J.K. Rowling "Unity is strength… when there is teamwork and collaboration, wonderful things can be achieved." — Mattie Stepanek #live #together #strength #unity #teamwork #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #love #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #collaboration

“People want to know they matter.” – Les Brown "No job is worth your sanity or health. Let’s focus on what you can control." - Chris Pine "Like toxic relatives, toxic colleagues are best kept at a distance." — Suzy Welch "I see how you're treated; just know I’m here for you." - suggested “The culture didn't align with my values. I found a better fit to thrive.” - Leonardo Montini #sanity #health #values #control #fit #thrive #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #choices #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #culture

"Ethical people operate with transparency, making it impossible for hidden agendas and complicity to thrive. Bullies target Integrity-driven people as they, by nature,  threaten, intimidate, and expose corrupt organizations and toxic / phony individuals." - Barbara Kellerman #ethics #transparency #integrity #ExposeTruth  #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #courage #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #SpeakUp

The worst bullying manager I’ve known conducted his assaults in private sans witnesses. This was intentional.  #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #protest #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #SpeakUp  "Be isolated, be ignored, be attacked, be in doubt, be frightened, but do not be silenced" - Bertrand Russell “The ultimate tragedy is not the oppression and cruelty by the bad people but the silence over that by the good people.” — Dr Martin Luther King Jr

"America was not built on fear. America was built on courage, on imagination, and an unbeatable determination to do the job at hand." — Harry S. Truman "It is a good thing to keep in memory the greatness of the nation's past; but it is only a good thing if it spurs us on to make greater the nation's present." — Theodore Roosevelt #courage #Imagination #determination #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #unity #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #greatness

"It isn't about what's wrong with you, it's about what happened to you." - Bruce D. Perry "The wound is the place where the Light enters you." — Rumi "Trauma changes you forever, but it doesn't have to destroy you." — Lundy Bancroft "You have power over your mind—not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength." — Marcus Aurelius #healing #recovery #light #grit #transcend #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #truth #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #evolve

"Whatever is begun in anger ends in shame." - Benjamin Franklin "Toray sought and was granted a subpoena for the book's publisher, Post Hill Press, (tortious interference) to review drafts and communications regarding the book." - ECF, Rhode Island "Toray Plastics (America), Inc. voluntarily dismissed all claims with prejudice against Matthew Paknis in a Rhode Island federal lawsuit, according to a report by Godbout Law. The case, filed in December 2018, was dismissed 51 months after initiation. Paknis did not sign a settlement agreement or pay any money to the company." #justice #truth #rights #AbuseOfProcess #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #Equality #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #Karma

"Do not be silent; there is no limit to the power that may be released through you." — Howard Thurman  "Build dikes of courage to hold back the flood of fear." — Martin Luther King, Jr.  "The mark of admiration: steadfastness in the face of trouble." - Ludwig van Beethoven #SpeakUp #power #courage #steadfast #grit #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #strength #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #fight  Victims and targets who make bullying observations and claims are often stigmatized as troublemakers or whistleblowers, even though breaking the silence by exposing and stopping bullying and abuse is most courageous and admirable.

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power." - Abraham Lincoln "Leadership consists of nothing but taking responsibility for everything that goes wrong." - John F. Kennedy "Adversity introduces a man to himself." - Albert Einstein #character #responsibility #adversity #grit #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #strength #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #dignity

"You always have the right to have no opinion." — Marcus Aurelius "Don't let someone else's opinion of you become your reality." - Les Brown "My psychiatrist told me I was crazy and I said I want a second opinion. He said okay, you're ugly too." - Rodney Dangerfield #Choice #Observation #facts #truth #freedom #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #liberty #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #AprilFools

"There can be no such thing as publick Liberty  without Freedom of Speech" - Benjamin Franklin "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." — Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  "Truth is like the sun. You can shut it out for a time, but it ain't goin' away." - Elvis #liberty #freedom #speech #trial #truth #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #justice #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #SpeakUp

"The predator wants your silence. It feeds their power, entitlement, and they want it to feed your shame." - Viola Davis "Get up, stand up, Stand up for your rights. Get up, stand up, Don't give up the fight." - Bob Marley #getup #StandUp #SpeakUp #fight  #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces  #justice #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct   #psychologicalsafetyatworkact  #rights Predatory bullying refers to cases where a victim has done nothing provocative to explain the behavior of the predator. #supportvictims

"There can be no greater good than the quest for peace, and no finer purpose than the preservation of freedom." — Ronald Reagan  "The greatest leader is not necessarily the one who does the greatest things. He is the one that gets the people to do the greatest things." — George H.W. Bush #good #peace #purpose #freedom #people #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #rights #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #democracy

"All warfare is based on deception." — Sun Tzu "As Commander-in-Chief, I have no greater responsibility than the security of the American people." - Barack Obama "As commander in chief, my highest duty is to defend the American people and the Constitution of the United States of America." - Donald Trump #unite #Secure #protect #defend #democracy #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #freedom #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #rights

"The most dangerous people in the world... act without a conscience, but for a paycheck" - Suzy Kassem "If ethics is poor at the top, that behavior is copied throughout the organization." - Robert Noyce "Behind every corrupt "judge" are 10-20 corrupt businessmen." — Mo Ibrahim #fair #moral #ethical #legal #character   #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #justice #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #impartial

"The measure of a (person) is what (they) do with power." — Plato "Character is shown through manners and respect rather than power." - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.  "The possession of power inevitably spoils the free use of reason." — Immanuel Kant #Conduct #character #manners #Respect #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #decency #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #freedom  Bullying involves exposure to repeated and enduring negative acts in the workplace when an imbalance of formal or informal power exists between the involved parties. #workplaceculture

"A man may die, nations may rise and fall, but an idea lives on". - John F. Kennedy "Perseverance and spirit have done wonders in all ages." – George Washington "Everything in life should be done with reflection." – John Adams #ideas #persevere #spirit #rise #reflect #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #peace #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #freedom

Workplace bullying reports indicate only 2% of bystanders intervene and up to 60% do nothing.  "There comes a time when silence is betrayal." — Martin Luther King Jr. "When the whole world is silent, even one voice becomes powerful." — Malala Yousafzai "Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves." — Proverbs 31:8 "I hear you. I see you. I believe you. You are not alone.  It's not your fault. Healing is possible. It's never too late." #leadersarentbullies #healthyworkplaces #justice #SpeakUp #leaderselevatethoughtandconduct #freedom #psychologicalsafetyatworkact #Rights