Working with organizations to eliminate everyday rudeness before it eliminates their best people and destroys culture.
John M. O’Brien, Ph.D. — psychologist, TEDx speaker, and author of Rudeness Rehab, helping organizations build civility, resilience, and low-stress workplaces.
Checkout My Civility Matters Podcast
Civility Matters is a podcast about workplace civility, incivility, rudeness and the human side of leadership. Hosted by psychologist and speaker John O’Brien, the show features guests from business, healthcare, education, and public life who explore why rudeness happens, how it affects people and organizations, and what we can do to build more respectful workplaces and communities.
Each episode offers research-based insight and practical steps for leaders, HR professionals, and anyone working to reduce toxic behavior and strengthen trust. The show provides a regular reminder that how we treat each other at work isn’t a soft skill, but rather it is a strategic advantage.
Speaking
John delivers keynotes and workshops that help organizations recognize and eliminate everyday rudeness before it costs them their best people — backed by 30 years as a psychologist and a TEDx talk on the topic.
A superb storyteller, John’s deep expertise in stress resilience and conflict resolution, coupled with his engaging delivery, makes him an outstanding speaker. John has a unique ability to connect with his audience, fostering a collaborative and enlightening environment. I highly recommend John for any speaking engagements—his impact is profound and lasting.
Colt Briner, Scrappy AF Marketing
Cindy Skalicky, OnPoint Communications
“John O’Brien delivered an excellent presentation and was able to engage with participants very well, keeping their attention. Interaction and participation were well beyond our expectations. I am looking forward to holding additional presentations with John in the future.”
Michelle W, Senior Account Manager
Janie Pinterits, PhD
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Program Manager at a National Lab
Global Director, Tech Industry
DE&I, Engagement, and Culture
Joel S. Chair, Veteran Employee Resource Group
Katie Jones, CEO Nimble Group
Maine Municipal Association Educational Services
MSR, Resident from Brooksby Village
Dr. O’Brien quickly engages with his audience and gets them involved. His message is clear and concise, and he makes his audience aware of how to cope with various family, workplace, and intimate situations that may become contentious. His talk is not dry or academic but uses humor and personal experiences to demonstrate his techniques.
MR, Resident of Brooksby Village
RUDENESS REHAB
JOHN M. O’BRIEN, PH.D.
I am very pleased to announce the publication of my new book, “Rudeness Rehab: Reclaiming Civility in the Workplace and Your Home Space.” I want to extend my sincere appreciation to all my friends and family who helped me to believe that I could achieve this goal.
You can access the link here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DJHCRYFM
Rudeness and incivility are on the rise in our state and in our country. My hope is that this book and our collective efforts can help us to change this alarming trend in our world and create a place for more civil dialogue
John M. O’Brien, Ph.D.
Welcome to my website. Thank you for interest in my speaking and coaching practice. I am a Ph.D.-level trained Counseling Psychologist who has spent the last 30 years working with individuals and organizations that want to create low stress workplaces that ignite employee engagement, increase productivity, and strengthen profitability. However, my interest in the application of psychological principles to everyday life and to business began many years prior to that
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Who is John O’Brien?
A: John M. O’Brien, Ph.D. is a counseling psychologist, TEDx speaker, and author who works with organizations to eliminate everyday rudeness and reduce workplace stress. He has 30 years of experience and hosts the Civility Matters podcast.
Q: How do I book John O’Brien for a keynote or workshop?
A: Contact John through the Speaking page at activatesuccess.org/speaking or the Contact page. A downloadable speaker one-sheet with topics, bio, and booking details is available on the site.
Q: What is workplace incivility and why does it matter?
A: Workplace incivility refers to low-intensity rude or disrespectful behavior at work. Research links it to lower engagement, higher turnover, and reduced productivity — making it a measurable business risk, not just a culture issue.
Q: What does John O’Brien speak about?
A: John speaks on workplace civility and incivility, stress management, burnout prevention, emotional intelligence, and change management. His keynotes and workshops are customized for corporate, healthcare, legal, and financial audiences.
Q: Is John O’Brien a TEDx speaker?
A: Yes. John O’Brien delivered a TEDx talk on workplace civility and stress.
Q: What organizations has John O’Brien worked with?
A: John has spoken for corporate clients, healthcare systems, law firms, financial services organizations, veteran employee resource groups, and professional associations across the country.
Contact Me
If you are curious about how coaching can help take you and/or your work to the next level, please do not hesitate to contact me: