The Hidden Cost of Workplace Drama

Workplace drama is everywhere because people are everywhere. But just because it is common does not mean it is acceptable. Left unchecked, drama can become a cultural quicksand. It slows progress, fractures trust and kills momentum. In this episode of Reflect Forward, I break down why drama exists, how leaders unknowingly contribute to it, and most importantly, how to stop it in its tracks. This is not just about managing others. Leaders must be willing to hold up a mirror and ask, 'Am I contributing to this or helping solve it?' We will explore the roots of drama, how storytelling and emotional triggers create chaos, and the exact steps leaders can take to build a culture grounded in ownership, trust, and clean conflict resolution. I also share a personal story about how I created drama in my own company through unclear communication and what I learned about taking responsibility. What You Will Learn • The true definition of workplace drama and how it shows up in your culture • Why gossip, blame, and storytelling feel good in the moment but cost your team dearly • How to help your employees recognize and own their emotional triggers • What it means for leaders to model emotional regulation • Five strategies to shut down drama and create a healthier, more focused culture Key Takeaways 1. Drama is a distraction from growth. Recognize it and name it before it spreads. 2. Your culture is shaped by how you and your team handle hard emotions and hard conversations. 3. Leaders must model emotional regulation. You are the mirror. 4. Help people shift from blame to ownership by asking what role they played and what they can do. 5. Teach your team to question their stories. Ask, Is this true? What else could be true? Why does this bother me so much. Reflect Forward Challenge Where are you tolerating or contributing to workplace drama? What is one action you can take today to shift the tone? If this episode resonates with you, share it with someone who is navigating workplace drama. When leaders choose ownership over reactivity, we all win. Subscribe on YouTube, Apple Podcasts, or your favorite podcast platform. And if you have not yet, check out my book The Ownership Mindset for more practical leadership tools like these. Let us lead well and lead with intention. Timestamps 00:00 Why workplace drama is normal but dangerous 03:15 My own misstep and how unclear communication caused chaos 06:50 Defining drama and why it matters 09:05 What Cy Wakeman teaches about drama and psychological safety 10:35 The hidden cost of drama at work 12:20 Root causes from unclear expectations to inconsistent leadership 15:10 The real issue beneath it all is storytelling 17:00 Strategy one: Name it immediately 18:20 Strategy two: Encourage ownership thinking 20:00 Strategy three: Teach trigger awareness 25:00 Strategy four: Set clear cultural norms 27:00 Strategy five: Model clean conflict resolution 30:10 How leaders get sucked in and why accountability matters 32:50 Stay above the swirl through curiosity and emotional discipline 36:00 Surrounding yourself with truth tellers 37:30 Final reflection on integrity and leadership If you liked this… Don’t forget to subscribe to Reflect Forward on your favorite podcast platform or YouTube. Visit my website, kerrysiggins.com, to explore my book, The Ownership Mindset, and get more leadership resources. Let’s connect on LinkedIn, Instagram, or TikTok! Find Reflect Forward on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@kerrysiggins-reflectforward Find out more about my book here: https://kerrysiggins.com/the-ownership-mindset/ Connect with me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-siggins/