213: Coping with the Fallout from Your Former Toxic Workplace with Catherine Mattice

In this week’s episode of the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast, I talked to Catherine Mattice, the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures.

If you left corporate because of a toxic boss or workplace culture, and you're now building your consulting business while still carrying that weight, this episode is for you. Many consultants who transition from corporate are unknowingly shaped by the trauma they experienced, and it shows up in how they price, set boundaries, and show up with clients.

In this episode, we unpack what really happens after you leave a toxic environment, why shame keeps so many consultants stuck, and the practical steps you can take to stop letting your former workplace control your new business.

 

In This Episode: 

[00:01:27] Catherine's origin story: From being bullied by a toxic peer in HR to founding Civility Partners and writing four books on workplace culture

[00:09:30] The invisible symptoms: How workplace trauma manifests as depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical illness - even after you've left

[00:13:15] Why consultants who experienced toxicity struggle with boundaries, overdeliver, and undercharge with clients

[00:17:45] The fawning response: Understanding why you might say yes to everything and how it's keeping you from premium positioning

[00:21:30] Taking your power back: Practical advice on therapy, boundary-setting, and rebuilding your relationship with work

[00:28:09] The first step to healing: Why acknowledging what happened (without shame) is essential before you can move forward

 

Key Takeaways: 

• Workplace trauma doesn't end when you leave. Research shows that prolonged workplace bullying creates symptoms of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and physical illness that persist long after you exit the toxic environment. Your body doesn't automatically know you're safe just because you changed jobs.
• Fawning is a trauma response - and it's costing you clients. If you experienced a toxic workplace, you may have developed a fawning response (people-pleasing, overdelivering, avoiding conflict). This shows up in your consulting business as underpricing, saying yes to everything, and failing to set boundaries with clients, which undermines your ability to position as a premium strategic advisor.
• Your consulting business is your chance to do it differently. You have the opportunity to create a business that doesn't mirror the toxic environment you left. This means consciously designing boundaries, workflows, and client relationships that honor your wellbeing - not replicating the overwork and undervaluation you experienced in corporate.

 

Quotes: 

"I think for a lot of people it's hard to sort of admit that their workplace caused so much drama and real trauma for them." - Catherine Mattice

"Start changing your self-talk - admit that this happened and that it's not something to be ashamed of. It happens to lots of people. That's why I have a book." - Catherine Mattice

"If you don't like what you used to have, don't create a business that mirrors the exact same environment. Aim for more. Know that more is always out there." - Jessica Fearnley

 

Useful Links

Catherine: 

CivilityPartners.com

Book: Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies

Read actionable insights on the Civility Partners blog

Jessica:

Buy Jessica’s book, Too Much, on Amazon

Get in touch with Jessica to discuss your consulting business

Leave a rating and review for the Seven Figure Consultant Podcast

Connect with Jessica on LinkedIn

 

Guest Bio

Catherine Mattice, MA, SPHR, SHRM-SCP, is the founder/CEO of Civility Partners, an organizational development firm focused on helping organizations create respectful workplace cultures and specializing in turning around toxic cultures. Civility Partners’ clients range from Fortune 500's to small businesses across many industries. Catherine is a TEDx speaker and an HR thought-leader who has appeared in such venues as USA Today, Bloomberg, CNN, NPR, and many other national news outlets as an expert. She’s an award-winning speaker, author and blogger, and has 50+ courses reaching global audiences on LinkedIn Learning. As a keynote speaker, Catherine's insights have transformed CEO’s of multinational companies, leaders of all levels in the US Marines and US Navy, and professionals in companies of all shapes and sizes. Her fourth book Navigating a Toxic Workplace for Dummies (Wiley) is available on Amazon and where all books and audiobooks are sold.