Solving People Problems

Brenda Neckvatal
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Welcome to "Solving People Problems," the podcast that takes you on a journey through the fascinating world of human dynamics in business and management. Join your host, Brenda Neckvatal, a seasoned HR professional with over 30 years of experience in helping more than 600 businesses overcome their most challenging people-related issues. Brenda Neckvatal is no stranger to the world of successful people management. Her expertise has been recognized by prestigious publications such as Forbes, Cointelegraph, Inc., US News and World Reports, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Brenda is here to guide you through the art of solving people problems with grace and efficiency. In each episode, Brenda dives deep into the intricate web of human interactions within the workplace. From simple day-to-day challenges to complex organizational dilemmas, she unravels the mysteries behind these issues and equips you with the tools and strategies to tackle them effectively. Whether it's resolving conflicts, improving communication, fostering teamwork, or enhancing leadership skills, Brenda covers it all. What sets "Solving People Problems" apart is Brenda's ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. As a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, she shares real-world stories, case studies, and practical tips that you can immediately apply in your professional life. Whether you're an HR professional, manager, business owner, or simply someone interested in understanding the dynamics of human behavior in the workplace, this podcast is your go-to resource. Brenda's engaging and insightful conversations with industry experts, thought leaders, and successful practitioners will inspire you to become a more effective leader and create a harmonious, productive work environment. Join Brenda Neckvatal on "Solving People Problems" and embark on a journey to transform your approach to people management. Subscribe today to unlock the secrets of building stronger, more resilient teams and organizations.

  1. SEP 7

    EP 40: The Reset Strategy for When Negativity Starts Spreading Like Wildfire

    It only takes one spark. A sarcastic comment. A sigh in the meeting. A grumble in the hallway. Before long, negativity is everywhere—burning through the team faster than progress can put it out. Negativity isn’t harmless venting. It’s contagious. It lowers energy, kills momentum, and trains people to look for what’s wrong instead of focusing on solutions. And once it spreads, it doesn’t just drag down performance—it rewires the culture. The team starts expecting problems, not possibilities. Here’s the real danger: when leaders don’t reset the tone, negativity becomes the default setting. Meetings turn heavy. Collaboration dries up. Even your best people start showing up drained, wondering why they should give their all when the atmosphere guarantees defeat. In this episode, I’ll give you the reset strategy that stops negativity in its tracks. You’ll learn how to shift the energy without ignoring reality, redirect conversations back to solutions, and reestablish the standard that keeps your culture strong. Because leadership isn’t about pretending the fire isn’t burning. It’s about knowing how to put it out before it consumes the room. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  2. SEP 6

    EP 39: How to Manage the Coworker Who Plays Favorites and Fuels Division

    Nothing fractures a team faster than favoritism. The inside jokes. The special treatment. The obvious bias that tells everyone, these people matter more than the rest of you. It doesn’t just bruise feelings—it breeds division. Suddenly, trust erodes. Sides form. Resentment builds. The work stops being about performance and starts being about politics. And the longer it goes unchecked, the louder the unspoken message becomes: loyalty matters more than results. Here’s the real danger—favoritism doesn’t just damage relationships. It undermines you. When a coworker plays favorites, they’re not just picking sides—they’re reshaping the team dynamic without your permission. And if you stay silent, you’ve allowed them to redraw the lines of authority and culture right under your nose. In this episode, I’ll show you how to confront the behavior before it poisons the team. You’ll learn how to call it out without escalating drama, reestablish a culture of fairness, and make it clear that division has no place in high-performing teams. Because leadership isn’t about letting politics decide the culture. It’s about protecting the trust that keeps the team whole. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  3. SEP 5

    EP 38: The Line That Shuts Down Chronic “That’s Not My Job” Attitudes

    Few phrases kill teamwork faster than this one: That’s not my job. It’s the battle cry of disengagement. The declaration that responsibility stops wherever comfort begins. And once it shows up, it doesn’t stay small—it spreads. Every time that phrase lands, the message is clear: ownership is negotiable. It chips away at collaboration, breeds resentment, and piles more weight on the shoulders of the people who do step up. Before long, you’re leading a team divided into two camps—the ones who carry the mission, and the ones who hide behind technicalities. Here’s the danger: if you let it slide, you don’t just lose productivity—you lose culture. Initiative disappears. Standards erode. The best people start questioning why they should give more when others are allowed to give less. In this episode, I’ll give you the one line that shuts down “not my job” attitudes on the spot. You’ll learn how to call it out without fueling defensiveness, redirect responsibility back to the mission, and make it clear that contribution isn’t optional when you’re part of a team. Because leadership isn’t about negotiating effort. It’s about setting the standard that keeps everyone moving forward together. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  4. SEP 4

    EP 37: How to Confront the Employee Who Does the Bare Minimum

    They show up on time, they check the boxes, and technically—they’re doing their job. But everyone sees it. The lack of effort. The refusal to go beyond the basics. The quiet withdrawal that drags the team down one unfinished edge at a time. Bare minimum isn’t neutral. It’s contagious. It tells the rest of the team that effort doesn’t matter, that ownership is optional, that carrying the load is someone else’s problem. And once that mindset takes root, high performers get resentful, standards start to slip, and suddenly your culture is running at half-speed. Here’s the hidden danger: when leaders don’t confront it, they’re not just tolerating mediocrity—they’re endorsing it. The whole team learns that showing up halfway is enough, and the ones who care the most start to care less. In this episode, I’ll show you how to confront the bare-minimum employee directly without sparking defensiveness or drama. You’ll learn how to draw a line that restores accountability, raises the standard, and makes it clear that coasting isn’t leadership-approved. Because leadership isn’t about rewarding the minimum. It’s about protecting the standard that drives maximum results. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  5. SEP 3

    EP 36: What to Do When Someone Keeps Undermining You in Front of Others

    It doesn’t come as a full-on attack. It slips in as a side comment, a smirk, a well-placed correction in front of the team. One moment you’re leading, the next someone is chipping away at your authority where everyone can see it. Undermining is more than disagreement—it’s a strategy. It’s meant to erode trust in you without ever saying your name directly. And the longer it goes unchecked, the more the room starts to wonder if maybe they’re right. Suddenly, your credibility isn’t steady ground—it’s quicksand. Here’s the real danger: every subtle jab plants doubt. Not just in your team’s minds, but in your own. Before long, you’re second-guessing yourself, over-explaining, or trying to “prove” your authority instead of leading from it. That’s how undermining wins—it pulls you off balance while the other person looks bold for “speaking up.” In this episode, I’ll show you exactly how to shut it down without looking thin-skinned or defensive. You’ll learn how to expose the behavior for what it is, reassert your authority in the moment, and make it clear that your leadership isn’t up for debate. Because leadership isn’t about avoiding conflict. It’s about cutting off the sabotage that chips away at your credibility. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  6. SEP 2

    EP 35: The Fastest Way to Stop Gossip Before It Poisons Your Team

    It starts in whispers. A side comment in the hallway. A quiet text thread after hours. But once gossip takes root, it spreads like wildfire—faster than truth, louder than facts, and more destructive than most leaders realize. Gossip isn’t small talk. It’s sabotage. It fractures trust, pits people against each other, and slowly poisons the culture until no one knows who to believe—or who to trust. Left unchecked, it replaces clarity with rumors, teamwork with suspicion, and momentum with drama. And the hardest part? Once gossip becomes the language of the team, it’s nearly impossible to pull everyone back without a direct intervention. The mistake most leaders make is trying to ignore it, hoping it fizzles out on its own. But gossip doesn’t die in silence. It thrives in it. Every time you let it slide, you’re teaching the team that character assassination is fair game. In this episode, I’ll show you the fastest way to stop gossip before it destroys your credibility and your team’s cohesion. You’ll learn how to call it out, cut it off, and replace it with a culture of direct, face-to-face communication that keeps trust intact. Because leadership isn’t about chasing down rumors. It’s about creating a team where they can’t survive. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  7. SEP 1

    EP 34: How to Handle the Employee Who Turns Every Deadline Into Drama

    Every deadline with them feels like a crisis. The sighs. The frantic pacing. The eleventh-hour panic that pulls everyone else into their storm. Instead of planning, they procrastinate. Instead of managing the workload, they manufacture chaos—and then expect the whole team to rally when the fire is suddenly theirs. Here’s the truth: the deadline isn’t the problem. The drama is. And drama is contagious. It steals focus, wrecks efficiency, and trains everyone else to believe that urgency—not preparation—is how things get done. Before long, the team is living in constant firefighting mode, burning energy on theatrics instead of results. The real damage? Deadlines stop being seen as commitments and start being treated like emotional events. Your authority takes the hit, because now you’re not leading a mission—you’re refereeing meltdowns. In this episode, I’ll show you how to cut through the noise and put the responsibility back where it belongs. You’ll learn how to shut down the theatrics, reframe deadlines as non-negotiable, and keep your team focused on delivery instead of drama. Because leadership isn’t about managing chaos. It’s about ending the performances that create it. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min

  8. AUG 31

    EP 33: The Script That Shuts Down Endless Excuses Cold

    You’ve heard them all before. Traffic was bad. The system was down. I didn’t know that was today. Nobody told me. One excuse after another, stacked so high you can’t even see the real problem anymore. Excuses drain more than time—they drain accountability. Every time you let them slide, the message is clear: performance doesn’t matter as much as the story told afterward. Soon, the team stops focusing on results and starts sharpening their excuses. And once that culture takes root, it spreads fast. Deadlines slip. Standards fall. Trust erodes. The real cost? Excuses don’t just cover mistakes—they cover patterns. What looks like a single slip is often a repeated behavior hiding under layers of justifications. If you don’t cut it off, you’re not managing problems—you’re managing spin. In this episode, I’ll give you the exact script that ends the cycle on the spot. No anger. No drama. Just clear, firm language that shuts down the excuses, puts responsibility back where it belongs, and reestablishes your authority without debate. Because leadership isn’t about listening to why it didn’t happen. It’s about holding the line so it does. Free Gift Alert: Ready to take your skills to the next level? Head over to www.yobrenda.com and sign up for my free Impact Scripts class. These three powerful scripts will help you get to the heart and root of issues when dealing with difficult people at work, and in life. Start bringing more wisdom into your interactions today! Subscribe now and embark on a journey to master the art of people management, one creative solution at a time. Connect with Brenda: Website: www.brendaneckvatal.com YouTube: @brendaneckvatal TikTok: @brenda.neckvatal Instagram: @brendaneckvatal Facebook: @Brenda.Neckvatal

    4 min
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About

Welcome to "Solving People Problems," the podcast that takes you on a journey through the fascinating world of human dynamics in business and management. Join your host, Brenda Neckvatal, a seasoned HR professional with over 30 years of experience in helping more than 600 businesses overcome their most challenging people-related issues. Brenda Neckvatal is no stranger to the world of successful people management. Her expertise has been recognized by prestigious publications such as Forbes, Cointelegraph, Inc., US News and World Reports, Entrepreneur, and Fast Company. With her wealth of knowledge and experience, Brenda is here to guide you through the art of solving people problems with grace and efficiency. In each episode, Brenda dives deep into the intricate web of human interactions within the workplace. From simple day-to-day challenges to complex organizational dilemmas, she unravels the mysteries behind these issues and equips you with the tools and strategies to tackle them effectively. Whether it's resolving conflicts, improving communication, fostering teamwork, or enhancing leadership skills, Brenda covers it all. What sets "Solving People Problems" apart is Brenda's ability to bridge the gap between theory and practice. As a best-selling author and sought-after speaker, she shares real-world stories, case studies, and practical tips that you can immediately apply in your professional life. Whether you're an HR professional, manager, business owner, or simply someone interested in understanding the dynamics of human behavior in the workplace, this podcast is your go-to resource. Brenda's engaging and insightful conversations with industry experts, thought leaders, and successful practitioners will inspire you to become a more effective leader and create a harmonious, productive work environment. Join Brenda Neckvatal on "Solving People Problems" and embark on a journey to transform your approach to people management. Subscribe today to unlock the secrets of building stronger, more resilient teams and organizations.

Information

  • Creator
    Brenda Neckvatal
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Brenda Neckvatal
  • Show Website
    Solving People Problems